"I wish to be a soldier."
Pierrette's mother, who had brought in a glassful of water to cool the
curé's agitation, began to cry. Pierrette wept also, but _she_ was not
angry with me, for she knew well it was in order to marry her that I
wished to go away.
At this moment appeared two tall, powdered lackeys and a lady's-maid,
who inquired whether the little girl had got ready the costume asked for
by the Queen and the Princess de Lamballe.
When these visitors had gone, and the commotion they caused had
subsided, I was left alone with the curé, Pierrette and her mother
having withdrawn in great excitement to "try on" the contents of the box
which the Queen had sent in exchange for the little girl's frock and
cap.
My guardian then requested me to relate to him the occurrences of the
morning, which I did, somewhat more briefly than I have told them here.
[Illustration: "THE OTHER LADY NOW CAME FORWARD."]
"And it is for this you would leave us, my son?" said my old friend,
when I had ended my recital, holding my hands in his. For a long time he
pleaded earnestly with me, setting forth the numerous hardships, perils,
and temptations of a soldier's life, which, said he, would unfit me for
becoming the husband of such a good, pure little being as Pierrette.