"And who is not?"
"Is a Marshal's baton so much, then, above your present
position? You are practically the head of the army."
"A valiant army!" laughing; "five thousand men. Why, Madame the
duchess has six thousand and three batteries."
"Her army of six thousand is an expedient; you can raise
volunteers to the amount of ten thousand."
"To be sure I could; but supposing I did not want to?"
The minister dropped his gaze and began fingering the paper
cutter. The Colonel's real purpose was still an enigma to him.
"Come, you have the confidence of the king, the friendship of
her Royal Highness. What do you gain in serving us? The baton?"
"You embarrass me. Questions? I should not like to lie to you.
Batons were fine things when Louises and Napoleons conferred
them. I have thrown my dice into the common cup; let that be
sufficient."
"A man who comes from a noble house such as you come from--"
"Ah, count, that was never to be referred to. Be content with my
brain and sword. And then, there is the old saying, Give a man
an ell, and look to your rod. We are all either jackals or lions,
puppets or men behind the booth.
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