A faint flush passed over the sun-bronze of his forehead.

He had thought the Sidney-like sacrifice had been unobserved.
"The drummer was but a child, mon Commandant." "Be so good as to give us no more of those melodramatic acts!" said M.
le Marquis contemptuously.

"You are too fond of trafficking in those showy fooleries.

You bribe your comrades for their favoritism too openly.

Ventre bleu! I forbid it--do you hear ?" "I hear, mon Colonel." The assent was perfectly tranquil and respectful.