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Article A PAGE FROM THE HISTORY OF NAPOLEON.* ← Page 5 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Page From The History Of Napoleon.*
barrelled rifle of Sxviss manufacture . By his side stood txvo young felloAVS , one about tAventy , the other barely fifteen . They were his sons . Both of them Avere proud , calm , and grave in their demeanour . They regarded me Avith indifference , and did not appear at all ox-envhelmed by the desperate condition in Avhich the castle was found to be .
"' Sir , ' continued the Cliouan chieftain , ' we were at table Avhen you deranged us ; will you permit us to return to the dining-room , and join us at supper ?' "I made a gesture of astonishment , ancl almost of refusal . "' The count of Kervegan is no longer rich , sir / said he , ' but you may yet fincl some good old wine upon his table , and around it some calm faces , in spite of the distressing times in Avhich we live . '
"The invitation was polite and cordial , and told that the man who gave it was of noble birth . " I bowed . ' ' Come then , ' said he , taking a torch in his hand . I folloAved him ; his two sons ancl the soldiers brought up the rear .
" We traversed a long corridor , and entered the apartment which the count had designated as the chning-room . It was an immense apartment , lighted by torches fixed on each side of the chimney . " A large table , laid out for sixty persons , stood in the middle , upon XA'hich the repast , already begun , was placed . At the
head of the table sat a lady , still handsome , with two children of about eight and ten years ; they were all employed xxdien we entered making cartridges . " The count took me by the hand ancl presented me to the countess . She bowed , and gaA'e me her hand to kiss Avith a calm dignity , remarking that she had met me before , in the antechamber of Versailles .
" Each Chouan soldier then placed himself at table , his pistols lying beside him . The meal was eaten in silence , —gravely , but Avithout sadness . " All these men , A'assals or castellans , gentlemen or peasants , knew that their days were numbered , that death was approaching , which none coulcl escape . But not one lowered his
broxv , none xvore the expression of the least anguish ; they xvere heroes , awaiting martyrdom . "' Sir , ' saicl I to the count , being struck with so much coolness , courage , and enthusiasm , " you have been offered an honourable capitulation , and yet you refuse it . ' "' Yes , ' saicl the count , ' I do !' "' 1 am a simple lieutenant in the Republican army , ' I
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Page From The History Of Napoleon.*
barrelled rifle of Sxviss manufacture . By his side stood txvo young felloAVS , one about tAventy , the other barely fifteen . They were his sons . Both of them Avere proud , calm , and grave in their demeanour . They regarded me Avith indifference , and did not appear at all ox-envhelmed by the desperate condition in Avhich the castle was found to be .
"' Sir , ' continued the Cliouan chieftain , ' we were at table Avhen you deranged us ; will you permit us to return to the dining-room , and join us at supper ?' "I made a gesture of astonishment , ancl almost of refusal . "' The count of Kervegan is no longer rich , sir / said he , ' but you may yet fincl some good old wine upon his table , and around it some calm faces , in spite of the distressing times in Avhich we live . '
"The invitation was polite and cordial , and told that the man who gave it was of noble birth . " I bowed . ' ' Come then , ' said he , taking a torch in his hand . I folloAved him ; his two sons ancl the soldiers brought up the rear .
" We traversed a long corridor , and entered the apartment which the count had designated as the chning-room . It was an immense apartment , lighted by torches fixed on each side of the chimney . " A large table , laid out for sixty persons , stood in the middle , upon XA'hich the repast , already begun , was placed . At the
head of the table sat a lady , still handsome , with two children of about eight and ten years ; they were all employed xxdien we entered making cartridges . " The count took me by the hand ancl presented me to the countess . She bowed , and gaA'e me her hand to kiss Avith a calm dignity , remarking that she had met me before , in the antechamber of Versailles .
" Each Chouan soldier then placed himself at table , his pistols lying beside him . The meal was eaten in silence , —gravely , but Avithout sadness . " All these men , A'assals or castellans , gentlemen or peasants , knew that their days were numbered , that death was approaching , which none coulcl escape . But not one lowered his
broxv , none xvore the expression of the least anguish ; they xvere heroes , awaiting martyrdom . "' Sir , ' saicl I to the count , being struck with so much coolness , courage , and enthusiasm , " you have been offered an honourable capitulation , and yet you refuse it . ' "' Yes , ' saicl the count , ' I do !' "' 1 am a simple lieutenant in the Republican army , ' I