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." She understood, smiled grimly, felt in a waistcoat pocket, found the snuff-box, and, squatting on the ground like a tailor, she took two pinches, and sat holding the antique silver box in her hand.
"Crazy Joan's no fool, dear lad," she said at last, and took another pinch, and knowingly nodded her head again and again, while he slept soundly..