If he had stayed quietly in the army, he would have been a general by this time." "You are unjust to him," said Agathe, "your father, who adored the Emperor, would have approved of his conduct.

However, he has consented to re-enter the army.

God knows the grief it has caused your brother to do a thing he considers treachery." Joseph rose to return to his studio, but his mother took his hand and said:-- "Be good to your brother; he is so unfortunate." When the artist got back to his painting-room, followed by Madame Descoings, who begged him to humor his mother's feelings, and pointed out to him how changed she was, and what inward suffering the change revealed, they found Philippe there, to their great amazement.
"Joseph, my boy," he said, in an off-hand way, "I want some money.
Confound it! I owe thirty francs for cigars at my tobacconist's, and I dare not pass the cursed shop till I've paid it.

I've promised to pay it a dozen times." "Well, I like your present way best," said Joseph; "take what you want out of the skull." "I took all there was last night, after dinner." "There was forty-five francs." "Yes, that's what I made it," replied Philippe.

"I took them; is there any objection ?" "No, my friend, no," said Joseph.