[Illustration]
The story is set in those desperate days when the ebbing tide of
Napoleon’s fortunes swept Europe with desolation. Barlasch--“Papa
Barlasch of the Guard, Italy, Egypt, the Danube”--a veteran in the
Little Corporal’s service--is the dominant figure of the story.
Quartered on a distinguished family in the historic town of Dantzig, he
gives his life to the romance of Desirée, the daughter of the family,
and Louis d’Arragon, whose cousin she has married and parted with at
the church door. Louis’s search with Barlasch for the missing Charles
gives an unforgettable picture of the terrible retreat from Russia;
and as a companion picture there is the heroic defence of Dantzig by
Rapp and his little army of sick and starving. At the last Barlasch,
learning of the death of Charles, plans and executes the escape of
Desirée from the beleaguered town to join Louis.
Illustrated by the Kinneys.
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