"An old friend of yours, if I
mistake not, is dead. I met him once in India. A stern, saturnine
man he was, but a brave and able commander; I am sorry to hear of
his death, but I do not wonder at it. He was the most melancholy
man I ever saw."
La Corne took the paper and gave a start of intense emotion as he
read an obituary notice as follows:
"East Indies. Death of the Marquis de Repentigny. The Marquis Le
Gardeur de Repentigny, general of the army and Governor of Mahe,
died last year in that part of India, which he had, by his valor and
skill, preserved to France. This officer had served in Canada with
the reputation of an able and gallant soldier."
La Corne was deeply agitated; his lips quivered, and tears gathered
in the thick gray eyelashes that formed so prominent a feature of
his rugged but kindly face. He concluded his reading in silence,
and handed the paper to De Beaujeu, with the single remark, "Le
Gardeur is dead! Poor fellow! He was more sinned against than
sinning! God pardon him for all the evil he meant not to do! Is it
not strange that she who was the cursed cause of his ruin still
flourishes like the Queen of the Kingdom of Brass? It is hard to
justify the ways of Providence, when wickedness like hers prospers,
and virtues like those of the brave old Bourgeois find a bloody
grave! My poor Amelie, too! poor girl, poor girl!" La Corne St.
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