Presently the severe lines of his face softened.
"Very well, we shall go together, my poet," throwing an arm across Victor's shoulders.

"We shall go together, as we have always gone.
And, after all, what is a name but sounding brass?
'Tis a man's arm that makes or unmakes his honesty, not his thrift; his loyalty, rather than his self-interest.

We shall go together.

Come; we'll sign the major's papers, and have done with it." Victor threw his hat into the air.
"And I, Monsieur Paul ?" said Breton, trembling in his shoes, with expectancy or fear.
"If they will let you go, lad," kindly; and Breton fell upon his knees and kissed the Chevalier's hand.
The articles which made them soldiers, obedient first to the will of the king and second to the will of the Company of the Hundred Associates, were duly signed.

Breton was permitted to accompany his master with the understanding that he was to entail no extra expense.
Father Chaumonot was delighted; Brother Jacques was thoughtful; the major was neutral and incurious.