He had a heart of gold and a head of iron, just like his son.

You may suppose, my children, that when your father, who had enlisted as a private soldier, became a general and a count of the empire, it was not without toil or without glory." "A count of the Empire! what is that, Dagobert ?" "Flummery--a title, which the Emperor gave over and above the promotion, just for the sake of saying to the people, whom he loved because he was one of them: Here, children! You wish to play at nobility! You shall be nobles.

You wish to play at royalty! You shall be kings.

Take what you like--nothing is too good for you--enjoy yourselves!" "Kings!" said the two girls, joining their hands in admiration.
"Kings of the first water.

Oh, he was no niggard of his crowns, our Emperor! I had a bed-fellow of mine, a brave soldier, who was afterwards promoted to be king.