We have to serve twelve years in the cavalry, and I was on the Rhine under General Steingel, after that in Italy, and then I followed the First Consul to Egypt.

I'll be a corporal soon." "When I get to Michu's house go to the stable; if you have served twelve years in the cavalry you know when a horse is blown.

Let me know the condition of Michu's beast." "See! that's where our corporal was thrown," said the man, pointing to a spot where the road they were following entered the _rond-point_.
"Tell the captain to come and pick me up at Michu's, and I'll go with him to Troyes." So saying Corentin got down, and stood about for a few minutes examining the ground.

He looked at the two elms which faced each other,--one against the park wall, the other on the bank of the _rond-point_; then he saw (what no one had yet noticed) the button of a uniform lying in the dust, and he picked it up.

Entering the lodge he saw Violette and Michu sitting at the table in the kitchen and talking eagerly.