"Tetrik," Victoria repeated, leaning over to touch the man's shoulder, "I am speaking to you; answer me."
"Who speaks?" cried the governor as if his mind wandered. "What do they want? Where am I?"
A moment later he raised his eyes to my foster-sister and cried surprised:
"You here—here, Victoria? Oh, yes! I was with you shortly ago—I had forgotten. Excuse me. My head swims. Alas! I am a father—I have a son almost of the age of this unfortunate boy. More than anyone else, I pity you!"
"Time presses and the occasion is grave," replied my foster-sister solemnly while she fastened a penetrating look upon Tetrik in order to fathom the man's most hidden thoughts. "Private sorrow is hushed before the public interest. I have my whole life left to weep my son and grandson; but we have only a few hours to consider the succession of the Chief of Gaul and of the general of the army—"
"What!" exclaimed Tetrik. "At such a moment as this—"
"I wish that before daylight breaks upon us, I, Captain Marion and you, Tetrik, my relative, one of my most faithful friends, you, who are so devoted to Gaul, you, who grieve so bitterly over Victorin—I wish that we three revolve in our wisdom what man we shall to-morrow propose to the army as my son's successor."
"Victoria, you are a heroic woman!" cried Tetrik clasping his hands in admiration. "You match with your courage and patriotism the most august women who have honored the world!"
"What is your opinion, Tetrik, as to the successor of Victorin? Captain Marion and myself will speak after you," the Mother of the Camps proceeded to say without noticing the praises of the Governor of Gascony. "Yes, whom do you think capable of replacing my son—to the glory and advantage of Gaul?"
"How can I give you my opinion?" Tetrik replied dejectedly. "How can I give you advice upon a matter of such gravity, when my heart is racked with pain—it is impossible!"