CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
RECOMMENDED FOR PROMOTION.
General Marbeuf did make it all right.

Bouquet was called to account; the teacher who had so often made it unpleasant for Napoleon was sharply reprimanded; and the principal, having his attention drawn to the persistent persecution of this boy from Corsica, consented to his release from imprisonment, while sternly lecturing him on the sin of duelling.
The general also chimed in with the principal's lecture; although I am afraid, being a soldier, he was more in sympathy with Napoleon than he should have been.
"A bad business this duelling, my son," he said, "a bad business--though I must say this rascal Bouquet deserved a good beating for his insolence.

But a beating is hardly the thing between gentlemen." "And you have fought a duel, my General ?" inquired Napoleon.

"Have I?
why, scores" the bluff soldier admitted.
[Illustration: "_'And you have fought a duel, my General'?
inquired Napoleon_"] "Let me see--I have fought one--two--four--why, when I was scarcely more than your age, my friend, I"-- and then the general suddenly stopped.
For he saw how his reminiscences would grow into admissions that would scarcely be a correction.
So, with a hem and a haw, General Marbeuf wisely changed the subject, and began to inquire into the reasons for Napoleon's unpleasant experiences at Brienne.

He speedily discovered that the cause lay in the pocket.