The error to suppose that under the rough cloth of a private trooper's uniform there cannot possibly be such aristocratic monopolies as nerves to wound." "I do not comprehend you." She spoke very coldly; she repented her profoundly of her concession in admitting a Chasseur d'Afrique to her presence.
"Possibly not.

Mine was the folly to dream that you would ever do so.
I should not have intruded on you now, but for this reason: the humiliation you were pleased to pass on me I could neither refuse nor resent to the dealer of it.

Had I done so, men who are only too loyal to me would have resented with me, and been thrashed or been shot, as payment.

I was compelled to accept it, and to wait until I could return your gift to you.

I have no right to complain that you pained me with it, since one who occupies my position ought, I presume, to consider remembrance, even by an outrage, an honor done to him by the Princesse Corona." As he said the last words he laid on the table that stood near him the gold of Chateauroy's insult.