Observe, I do not say farewell, but au revoir!" "Yes, my dear general," replied the young man, in a voice that revealed some emotion, "I understand, and I thank you." "Promise that you will send me word as soon as the affair is over, or that you will get some one to write if you are disabled." "Oh, don't worry, general.

You will have a letter from me personally in less than four days," replied Roland, adding, in a tone of profound bitterness: "Have you not perceived that I am protected by a fatality which prevents me from dying ?" "Roland!" exclaimed the general in a severe tone, "Again!" "Nothing, nothing," said the young man, shaking his head and assuming an expression of careless gayety which must have been habitual with him before the occurrence of that unknown misfortune which oppressed his youth with this longing for death.
"Very well.

By the way, try to find out one thing." "What is that, general ?" "How it happens that at a time when we are at war with England an Englishman stalks about France as freely and as easily as if he were at home." "Good; I will find out." "How ?" "I do not know; but when I promise you to find out I shall do so, though I have to ask it of himself." "Reckless fellow! Don't get yourself involved in another affair in that direction." "In any case, it would not be a duel.

It would be a battle, as he is a national enemy." "Well, once more--till I see you again.

Embrace me." Roland flung himself with passionate gratitude upon the neck of the personage who had just given him this permission.
"Oh, general!" he exclaimed, "how happy I should be--if I were not so unhappy!" The general looked at him with profound affection, then asked: "One day you will tell me what this sorrow is, will you not, Roland ?" Roland laughed that sorrowful laugh which had already escaped his lips once or twice.
"Oh! my word, no," said he, "you would ridicule me too much." The general stared at him as one would contemplate a madman.
"After all," he murmured, "one must accept men as they come." "Especially when they are not what they seem to be." "You must mistake me for OEdipe since you pose me with these enigmas, Roland." "Ah! If you guess this one, general, I will herald you king of Thebes! But, with all my follies, I forgot that your time is precious and that I am detaining you needlessly with my nonsense." "That is so! Have you any commissions for Paris ?" "Yes, three; my regards to Bourrienne, my respects to your brother Lucien, and my most tender homage to Madame Bonaparte." "I will deliver them." "Where shall I find you in Paris ?" "At my house in the Rue de la Victoire, perhaps." "Perhaps--" "Who knows?
Perhaps at Luxembourg!" Then throwing himself back as if he regretted having said so much, even to a man he regarded as his best friend, he shouted to the postilion, "Road to Orange! As fast as possible." The postilion, who was only waiting for the order, whipped up his horses; the carriage departed rapidly, rumbling like a roll of thunder, and disappeared through the Porte d'Oulle..