"No," said he modestly, "I never was quite poor enough for that
exalted position." He had recovered his good humor.
"Indeed, you begin to interest me. What is your occupation when
not in search of--comic operas?"
"I serve Ananias."
"Ananias?" A pause. "Ah, you are a diplomat?"
"How clever of you to guess."
"Yours is a careless country," observed the Veil.
"Careless?" mystified.
"Yes, to send forth her green and salad youth. Eh, bien! There
are hopes for you. If you live you will grow old; you will
become bald and reserved; you will not speak to strangers, to
while away an idle hour; for permit me, Monsieur, who am wise,
to tell you that it is a dangerous practice."
"And do I look so very young?"
"Your beard is that of a boy."
"David slew Goliath."
"At least you have a ready tongue," laughing.
"And you told me that I had been a soldier."
But to this she had nothing to say.
"I am older than you think, Mademoiselle of the Veil. I have
been a soldier; I have seen hard service, too. Mine is no
cushion sword. Youth? 'Tis a virtue, not a crime; and, besides,
it is an excellent disguise.
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