"Why, why?" he eagerly whispered.
"Because his own was cut in two by a sabre-stroke. Had the cut been downwards, Le Grand would be alongside you to-day."
"I am glad he escaped so well; I like him."
After a little more conversation I was told that my visit must end.
"Who is chiefly with you, Nicholas?" I asked.
He nodded towards an attendant. I went to this man and gave him a hundred francs.
"Be good to my comrade," I said.
"Yes; yes," he replied, astonished at such a gift from a mere sergeant of legionaries; "I will do all I can, but that, alas! is little."
"I know," I answered, "there is no hope; but smooth the way for him as well as you can to Eternity."