I had never heard Father Goulden speak with such emotion, his bald head was bowed sadly, and his eyes were on the ground, so that he might not see the pain of those to whom he was speaking.
The commandant grew quite red, his eyes were dim, his great fingers worked, and the colonel was pale as death. I wished myself away.
Mr. Goulden went on, "This watch is worth more than a thousand francs, I have not so much money in hand, and besides you would doubtless regret to part with such a souvenir. I will make you this offer, leave the watch with me, I will hang it in my window—it shall always be yours—and I will advance you two hundred francs, which you shall repay me when you take it away."
On hearing this, the hussar extended his two great hairy hands, as if to embrace Father Goulden.
"You are a good patriot," he exclaimed, "Colin told us so. Ah! sir, I shall never forget the service you have rendered me. This watch I received from Prince Eugène for bravery in action, it is dear to me as my own blood, but poverty——"
"Commandant!" exclaimed the other, turning pale.
"Colonel, permit me! we are old comrades together. They are starving us, they treat us like Cossacks. They are too cowardly to shoot us outright."
He could be heard all over the house. Catherine and I ran into the kitchen in order not to see the sad spectacle. Mr. Goulden soothed him, and we heard him say:
"Yes, yes, gentlemen, I know all that, and I put myself in your place."
"Come! Margarot, be quiet," said the colonel. And this went on for a quarter of an hour.