Mothers were not made to weep for their children!" He tore up the letters he had written to his mother, his sister, and General Bonaparte, mechanically burning the fragments with the utmost care.

Then ringing for the chambermaid, he asked: "When must my letters be in the post ?" "Half-past six," replied she.

"You have only a few minutes more." "Just wait then." And taking a pen he wrote: My DEAR GENERAL--It is as I told you; I am living and he is dead.

You must admit that this seems like a wager.

Devotion to death.
Your Paladin ROLAND.
Then he sealed the letter, addressed it to General Bonaparte, Rue de la Victoire, Paris, and handed it to the chambermaid, bidding her lose no time in posting it.