About a hundred yards beyond the last house a tree, blown down by the wind, offered a seat to the pedestrians.

Bonaparte sat down and signed to Roland to join him.

He apparently had something to say, some confidence to make to his young aide-de-camp.
Both were silent for a time, and then Bonaparte said: "Roland, do you remember a conversation we had together at the Luxembourg ?" "General," said Roland, laughing, "we had a good many conversations together at the Luxembourg; in one of which you told me we were to cross into Italy in the spring, and fight General Melas at Torre di Gallifolo or San-Guiliano.

Does that still hold good ?" "Yes; but that is not the conversation I mean." "What was it, general ?" "The day we talked of marriage." "Ah, yes! My sister's marriage.

That has probably taken place by this time, general." "I don't mean your sister's marriage; I mean yours." "Good!" said Roland, with a bitter smile.