Maurice, seated opposite his mother, presided over the repast with his elegant gayety.

Madame Roger's pale face would light up with a smile at each of his good-natured jokes, and the three young ladies would burst into discreet little laughs, all in unison, and even the sorrowful Colonel would arouse from his torpor.
He became animated after his second glass of burgundy, and was very entertaining.

He spoke of the Crimean campaign; of that chivalrous war when the officers of both armies, enemies to each other, exchanged politenesses and cigars during the suspension of arms.

He told fine military anecdotes, and Madame Roger, seeing her son's face excited with enthusiasm at these heroic deeds, became gloomy at once.

Maurice noticed it first.
"Take care, Colonel," said he.