You had better prepare your prettiest bow and your softest words, for this sister of de Lescure is, they say, a real beauty.

She shall ride to Bressuire before you on your saddle-cloth, if you choose to load your arms with such a burden; but don't grow too fond of her kisses, for though she were a second Venus, the guillotine must have the disposal of her." The cornet made no answer, but his young heart turned sick at the brutality of his companion.

His breast had glowed with republican zeal at the prospect of a night attack on the two most distinguished of the royalist chiefs.

The excitement of the quick ride through the night-air, the smallness of the party, the importance of the undertaking, the probable danger, and the uncertainty, had all seemed to him delightful; and the idea of rescuing a beautiful girl from the flames was more delightful than all; but the coarseness and cruelty of his General had destroyed the romance, and dissipated the illusion.

He felt that he could not offer a woman his protection, that he might carry her to a scaffold.
At about two, Westerman started on his expedition.