Ange Pitou by Alexandre Dumas part three

Pitou grasped his sword and bestrode the huge horse.

If he did not represent the aristocracy, he at least represented the bone and sinew of the land.

The entrance of Pitou, and of those who had conferred so much honor on the province, was saluted by loud acclamations.

All had hats alike, with the national cockade, and marched in two ranks in the most perfect order.

When they reached the parade all approved of them.

Pitou caught a glance of Catherine and blushed. She trembled.

This was the most exciting portion of the review.

He put his men through the manual, and every command excited much attention and applause.

The other villagers appeared excited and irregular. Some were half armed, others half instructed, and they were completely demoralized by the comparison. Pitou’s men became vain of their excellence.

Both were uncertain, however, as to cause and effect.

From the manual they passed to the drill.

Here the sergeant expected to rival Pitou.

In consideration of his age, the sergeant had received the command, and marched his men back and forth by files.

He could do nothing more.

Pitou, with his sword under his arm, and his helmet on his brow, looked on with infinite superiority.

When the sergeant saw his heads of column become lost amid the trees, while the rear took the back track to Haramont; when he saw his squares disperse, and squads and platoons lose their commandants,—he was greeted by a disapproving sound from his own soldiers.

A cry was heard from Haramont:—

“Pitou! Pitou! Pitou!”

“Yes, Pitou!” echoed the men of the other villages, offended at an inferiority which they attributed to their instructors.

Pitou, on his white horse, placed himself at the head of his men, to whom he gave the right, and gave the command in such a tone that the very oaks trembled.

As if by miracle, the broken files united, the manæuvres were well executed, Pitou made such good use of his books and of Father Clovis’s instructions.

The army, with one voice, saluted him Imperator on the field of battle.

Pitou dismounted, and covered with sweat, received the salutations of the crowd.

He did not, however, see Catherine.

All at once Pitou heard her voice. It was not necessary for him to seek her. She had sought him.

His triumph was immense.

“What!” said she, with an air in strange contrast with her pale face. “Have you become proud because you are a great general?”

“Oh, no!” replied Pitou. “Good-morning, Mademoiselle Billot.”

Then to Madame Billot:—

“I am happy to salute you, Madame Billot.”

Turning to Catherine, he said:—

“Mademoiselle, you are wrong. I am not a great general, but only a young man anxious to serve my country.”

What he had said was borne through the crowd, and treated as a sublime sentiment.

“Ange,” said Catherine, “I must speak to you.”

“Ah! at last! at last!” thought he, and said:—

“When you please.”

“Return to the farm with us.”

“Very well.”

Chapter XXXIX

Honey and Absinthe

CATHERINE contrived to be alone with Pitou in spite of her mother’s presence.

Old Mother Billot had some gossips, who walked by her and maintained conversation.

Catherine, who had left her horse, returned on foot with Pitou.

Such arrangements surprise no one in the country, where people are more indulgent than they are in great cities.

It seemed natural enough for Monsieur Pitou to talk to Mademoiselle Billot. It may be none ever noticed it.

On that day all enjoyed the silence and thickness of the woods. All glory and happiness seems to reside amid the primeval grandeur of the forests.

“Here I am, Mademoiselle Catherine,” said Pitou, when they were alone.

“Why have you for so long a time not visited our farm? That is wrong, Pitou.”

“But, Mademoiselle, you know the reason!”

“I do not. You are wrong.”

Pitou bit his lips. It annoyed him to hear Catherine tell a falsehood.

She saw and understood his expression.

“But, Pitou, I have something to tell you.”

“Ah!” said he. “The other day you saw me in the hut?”

“Yes, I did.”

“You saw me?”

“Yes.”

She blushed.

“What were you doing there?”

“You knew me?”

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