Such family considerations do not prevent me from doing my duty to the Emperor, but they make that duty more painful than it would otherwise be.' 'You have my sympathy, mademoiselle,' said the young hussar.
It was to him that my cousin had now turned.
'Do I understand that you took him prisoner ?' she asked.
'It was unfortunately my duty.' 'From you I will get the truth.

Whither did you take him ?' 'To the Emperor's camp.' 'And why ?' 'Ah, mademoiselle, it is not for me to go into politics.

My duties are but to wield a sword, and sit a horse, and obey my orders.

Both these gentlemen will be my witnesses that I received my instructions from Colonel Lasalle.' 'But on what charge was he arrested ?' 'Tut, tut, child, we have had enough of this!' said my uncle harshly.
'If you insist upon knowing I will tell you once and for all, that Monsieur Lucien Lesage has been seized for being concerned in a plot against the life of the Emperor, and that it was my privilege to denounce the would-be assassin.' 'To denounce him!' cried the girl.

'I know that it was you who set him on, who encouraged him, who held him to it whenever he tried to draw back.