“Why doesn’t he get some place, or business?” said old Desroches; “there are plenty of private offices to be had. I am going as head of a bureau in an insurance company, as soon as I have got my pension.”
“Philippe is a soldier; he would not like to be any thing else,” said the warlike Agathe.
“Then he ought to have the sense to ask for employment—”
“And serve these others!” cried the widow. “Oh! I will never give him that advice.”
“You are wrong,” said Du Bruel. “My son has just got an appointment through the Duc de Navarreins. The Bourbons are very good to those who are sincere in rallying to them. Your son could be appointed lieutenant-colonel to a regiment.”
“They only appoint nobles in the cavalry. Philippe would never rise to be a colonel,” said Madame Descoings.
Agathe, much alarmed, entreated Philippe to travel abroad, and put himself at the service of some foreign power who, she thought, would gladly welcome a staff officer of the Emperor.
“Serve a foreign nation!” cried Philippe, with horror.
Agathe kissed her son with enthusiasm.
“His father all over!” she exclaimed.