[La Vende by Anthony Trollope]@TWC D-Link book
La Vende

CHAPTER II
18/19

We have come here to fight, and very probably to die for our King and our religion; and, being called upon to act as leaders, we must bear a heavier share of the burden, and undergo greater perils than others; but we seek no especial dignity, we look for no other pre-eminence, than that of suffering more than others.

I fear these are not the feelings that influence you." "My feelings, Sir, are as pure as your own!" said Denot.
"If so," said Father Jerome, "you had better teach us all to think so, by taking care that your conduct is also as pure as M.de Lescure's." "Oh, Father Jerome, do not anger him," said Henri.

"Come with me, Adolphe, and we will quietly talk over this; they don't exactly understand what you mean yet." "But they shall understand what I mean," said Denot, whose anger was now beyond control, "and they shall know that I will not remain here to be rebuked by a priest, who has thrust himself into affairs with which he has no concern; or to make myself subservient to men who are not fit to be my equals.

I will not deign to be a common soldier, when such a man as Stofflet is made an officer." And he got up from the chair in which he had again seated himself, and stalked out of the room.
"He has at any rate proved to us," said Bonchamps, "that I was wrong to nominate him, and that you were right not to accept the nomination." "I grieve that he should be vexed with me," said Stofflet; "but I did not seek to put myself above him." "Time and experience will make him wise," said de Lescure: "let us pity his folly and forgive it." The council was then broken up, and the different officers went each to perform his own duties.

When Denot left the room, Henri immediately followed him.
"Adolphe," said he, as he overtook him in the market-place, "Adolphe, indeed you are wrong, no one meant to show you any indignity." "And have you also followed me to tell me I am wrong--of course I am wrong--I am wrong because I will not submit, as you and Charles do, to ignorant boors like Stofflet and Cathelineau, because--" "Like Cathelineau! why, Adolphe, you are mad," said Henri, "why you yourself voted that Cathelineau should be our General." "Voted! Why, Henri, what a child you are! Do you call that voting when all was arranged beforehand?
You are blind, I tell you.


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