Within an hour a perspiration
came, and he was very quiet, and sleeping easily. Parpon crouched near
the door, watching it all with deep, piercing eyes. Madame Degardy never
moved from her place, but stood shaking her head and muttering. At last
Lagroin came, and whisperingly asked after his chief; then, seeing him in
a healthy and peaceful sleep, he stooped and kissed the hand lying upon
the blanket.
"Beloved sire! Thank the good God!" he said. Soon after he had gone,
there was a noise of tramping about the tent, and then a suppressed
cheer, which was fiercely stopped by Parpon, and the soldiers of the
Household Troops scattered to their tents.
"What's that?" asked Valmond, opening his eyes bewilderedly.
"Your soldiers, sire," answered the dwarf.
Valmond smiled languidly. Then he saw Madame Degardy and Elise.
"I am very sleepy, dear friends," he said, with a courteous, apologetic
gesture, and closed his eyes. Presently they opened again. "My snuff-
box--in my pocket," he said to the old woman, waving a hand to where his
uniform hung from the tent-pole; "it is for you, madame.
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