I told him the young lady of whom Goguelat had spoken had on several occasions given me alms.

I reminded him that, if we were now reduced to hold out our hands and sell pill-boxes for charity, it was something very new for soldiers of the Empire.

We had all seen bandits standing at a corner of a wood truckling for copper halfpence, and after their benefactors were gone spitting out injuries and curses.

'But,' said I, 'I trust that none of us will fall so low.

As a Frenchman and a soldier, I owe that young child gratitude, and am bound to protect her character, and to support that of the army.