This time Gauthier was visibly annoyed. He answered, after a few minutes' hesitation, "Because some day I intend writing the history of the Crimean War. It is only natural I should want to know the names of the commanders on the other side."
"Oh! of course," said Saussier, feeling rather disconcerted.
For some minutes the two friends continued their walk in silence. There was no sound but the crunching of the snow under their heavy boots, for it had been snowing hard in the district of Simferopol, and a thick white mantle covered the ground.
Lieutenant Saussier looked at Gauthier, and in spite of his friend's attempt to turn away his head, Saussier saw that there were tears in his eyes.
"Forgive me for asking you!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea of causing you pain."
"How do you know you have?" asked Gauthier, passing his arm through that of his friend.
"Don't try and hide it. I can see that, quite unintentional as it was, I have pained you with my questions."
"It is nothing, nothing at all; or rather your questions brought to mind something in my past life. It is only natural that you should have asked me, and as a proof of my friendship I will tell you all."
"No, no! Indeed I do not want you to. We will not talk about it. I am awfully sorry to have spoken of it."
"After all, you are my greatest friend. Why should I not tell you about it? Perhaps, too, it might relieve me to speak of my trouble."