"Monsieur,--This morning at daybreak I received telegraphic
information that a serious rising has taken place among the tribes
southward of Fig-gig, and I have resolved to march upon them
without delay. Judge, monsieur, how more than sorry I am to be
forced to quit the society of your charming sister and yourself
without making my adieux; but a soldier's duty forces him from the
consummation of his fondest desires, when such a consummation seems
close at hand, and I go, if not with joy, at least without
soldierly reluctance. I shall never forget, monsieur, this episode,
an oasis in the desert of my military life; and, while wishing for
mademoiselle and yourself all possible prosperity, I hope you will
remember Teschoun and the poor exiled officers there, who will
never think of you both without regret.
"I feel it right, under the grave circumstances of the revolt, to
advise your speedy return to Mascara, and will order a trusty
escort to be in readiness for you when you shall require it.
"Meantime, receive, monsieur, the expression of my utmost esteem.
"De Marion."
We were both of us talking over the astounding contents of the Général's
letter, when Napoleon came in, full of news. The insurgents numbered
thousands, and there were skirmishing parties close to Teschoun.
Teschoun would be most likely besieged, as it had been more than once,
etc., etc. As the day wore on, the excitement increased. Little groups
of French or Jewish shopkeepers collected together and talked gravely,
Arabs walked about in stately fashion, smiling superciliously. In the
French camp it was the old story on a lesser scale:
"And there was mounting in hot haste; the steed,
The mustering squadron, and the clattering car
Went pouring forward with impetuous speed."
And so great was the need for hurry that we doubted whether we should
see either of our gallant hosts again. Late in the afternoon, however,
the Capitaine paid us a formal, sentimental visit, and after him came
the Commandant, who stood up before us, square and stiff, and stammered
out a word or two with tears in his kind eyes. Mary held out her little
hand; but he seemed overcome with shyness or sadness, or both, and
rushed away without having taken it.
Last of all, when we had quite given him up, came the poor Lieutenant:
he had been busy on a hundred errands for his superior officers, and had
only five minutes to spare. We can never do anything with a few last
moments, and Mary and the Lieutenant had not a word to say to each
other, though I could see well enough what both would fain have said.
So I quietly left them under the pretext of fetching a cigar, and when I
returned, at the close of the fifth minute, all that was necessary had
been said. We then embraced each other after the hearty French fashion.
Mary and the Lieutenant exchanged rings, and he went off to fight the
disaffected Arabs as happy as a king!
It was a fine sight to see the troops march out of Teschoun. Color is
really color in the South, and the lines of blue zouaves and crimson
spahis against the mellow afternoon sky were vivid and picturesque
beyond description.
On they went, arms flashing, drums beating, colors flying, till the last
column had turned the hill, and then evening came on all at once, and we
felt a dreary sense of disenchantment creeping over us. It was as if we
had been dreaming during the last few weeks, and now we were waked,
indeed! Dominique recalled us to ourselves with a cynical smile.
"Bah!" he cries, "it's all play; let 'em pretend to put down
insurrection as often as they please. It is good for trade and
promotion, and the Arabs know how to defend themselves."
But events falsified this sarcasm of Monsieur Dominique's, for the
insurrection proved serious, and it was months before we heard of our
Lieutenant. When we did hear, the news was good; and the news of him and
of his English wife--dowered by our Vittoria Colonna--has been good ever
since.