The sergeant stared hard at the cats, and tried not to smile.
“After my fortune comes from France, I shall remember you,” said Eugene.
“Thank you,” replied the sergeant demurely. “May I ask you whether you intend remaining in this country?”
“Yes; I shall not live under that villanous republic. My grand-uncle will send me not the whole, he is too avaricious for that, but a part of the fortune that rightfully belongs to me. I shall go to a military school, of which I am assured there are good ones in this country; then, when I become a man, the republic of France will probably be no more. We shall have our empire, and I shall return, and take service under the Bonapartes.”
“You are quite sure that your grand-uncle will send you some money?”
At this remark Eugene turned such a startled face toward his companion that the latter, finding that he had surprised the boy out of his usual composure, made haste to change the subject of conversation.
“So you want to be a soldier,” he said.
“Yes; it is the only profession for a gentleman.”
“Napoleon made a pretty big thing of war,” said the sergeant.