Your father saved my life in the Atlas.

He has related it all to you--No?
Well, that does not astonish me; for he was no braggart, that father of yours; he was a man! Had he not quitted the army, a brilliant career was before him.

People talk a great deal of Pelissier, of Canrobert, of MacMahon, and of others.

I say nothing against them; they are good men doubtless--at least I hear so; but your father would have eclipsed them all had he taken the trouble.

But he didn't take the trouble! "Well, for the story: We were crossing a gorge of the Atlas; we were in retreat; I had lost my command; I was following as a volunteer.