At last, he felt that he had a kind of intimacy with the sergeant; that if he should chance to meet him after three or four years had passed, he should greet him as an old acquaintance, whom he had well known, and he was sure that the sergeant had the same feeling respecting him.
The day dawned soon after two o'clock, and as by degrees the clear sun-light streamed in at the uncurtained windows, Arthur, in his impatience, thought that the day was advancing; but in reality it was not yet five o'clock, when Santerre, waking with a tremendous yawn, stretched his huge limbs, and then jumped up from the sofa on which he had been lying.
"Now for a bonfire," said he, "and then for breakfast; or perhaps we had better get our breakfast first, and have our bonfire afterwards.

Old gentleman, I have no doubt my men took strange liberties with your cellar and larder last night.

I hope they have left enough about the place to furnish you with the last meal you will ever eat in this chateau." "I know, Sir, what soldiers are in a house," said the old man.

"I will not say that your men are welcome here, for that would be falsehood; but I begrudge them nothing that they eat and drink." "Well, that's kind of you; but, considering that all which is not now eaten and drunk, will be immediately wasted and spoilt, you would certainly be foolish to allow the consumption of your provisions to make you uneasy.

Here, sergeant," and then Santerre spoke aside to the sergeant, and gave him various orders, which the man departed to obey.
"And now, General Santerre," said Denot, marching close up to him, "are you prepared to make good your promise to me?
Are you prepared to give me an escort for myself and this lady, and to allow us to commence our journey from hence to Saumur ?" Denot's personal appearance had not been at all improved by the blow which Arthur had given him across his face.