I was major, when the Hubertsburger treaty put an end to a gay war-life.

You will remember I was advanced during peace; his majesty did not forget that I cut a way for him through the enemy, and he made me lieutenant-colonel and colonel, when I was obliged to resign on account of this infamous gout, and then I received the title of general." "Without 'excellency,'" replied his wife, dryly.

"I have not even this pleasure to be called 'excellency.' It would have been a slight compensation for my sad, miserable existence, and vexed many of the female friends of my youth if they had been obliged to call me 'excellency.' But my marriage brought me only cares, not even a title." "Do not forget a lovely daughter, Clotilda.

Our Marie is beautiful, wise, and good, and through her you will yet have tranquil happiness.
For you say the king has granted all we wish." "Every thing!" repeated the wife, with emphasis.

"We have at last finished with want and care, and can count upon an independent, quiet old age, for God has been gracious, and forced you, from the gout, to give up gambling, and we are freed from the misery which has so often threatened us from your unhappy passion." "At the beginning, I played from passion; afterward, I only played to win back what I had lost." "And in that manner played away all we possessed, and played upon your word of honor, so that for years the half of our pension went to pay your gambling-debts.