Possibly Monsieur
de Portenduere, your late husband, was present. Those were the
glorious days of the French navy; it bore comparison with that of
Great Britain, and its officers had their full quota of courage. With
what impatience we awaited in '83 and '84 the news from St. Roch. I
came very near serving as surgeon in the king's service. Your
great-uncle, who is still living, Admiral Kergarouet, fought his
splendid battle at that time in the 'Belle-Poule.'"
"Ah! if he did but know his great-nephew is in prison!"
"He would not leave him there a day," said old Minoret, rising.
He held out his hand to take that of the old lady, which she allowed
him to do; then he kissed it respectfully, bowed profoundly, and left
the room; but returned immediately to say:--
"My dear abbe, may I ask you to engage a place in the diligence for me
to-morrow?"
The abbe stayed behind for half an hour to sing the praises of his
friend, who meant to win and had succeeded in winning the good graces
of the old lady.
"He is an astonishing man for his age," she said. "He talks of going
to Paris and attending to my son's affairs as if he were only
twenty-five.
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