"Very well," said I. "Where is he?"
He brought me to the sub-lieutenant's quarters. I told the officer of my permission; he was satisfied. Before I went he asked about the captain's wounds and a few questions of curiosity about Nicholas. I told him all I knew about the captain and almost nothing about my comrade. As I was leaving, the sergeant drew my attention to the fact that I had omitted speaking about my promotion.
"You captured a flag, you say?"
"Yes, sir; and there was a hard fight to retain it."
"And the commandant will promote you sergeant to-morrow?"
"Monsieur le capitaine said so, sir."
"Very good, very good; somebody must be sergeant, I suppose, and why not you as well as another? You may withdraw."
As we went away I asked the sergeant if there were any place where I could get a drink of wine or brandy.
"Certainly, yes—if you have money, my comrade."