Then all at once, far, far away, I saw a moving group of figures. They grew
larger and more distinct--they were coming towards me! I had run till I
could run no farther. Panting and breathless, I leaned against a tree, and
waited.
And now, as they drew nearer, I saw that the group consisted of some eight
or ten officers, two of whom were walking somewhat in advance of the rest.
One of the two wore a plain cocked hat and an undress military frock; the
other was in full uniform, and wore two or three glittering medals on his
breast. This other was my father. I scarcely looked at the first. I never
even asked myself whether he was, or was not the King. I had no eyes, no
thought for any but my father.
So I stood, eager and breathless, on the verge of the gravel. So they every
moment drew nearer the spot where I was standing. As they came close, my
father's eyes met mine. He shook his head, and frowned. He thought I had
come there to stare at the King.
Nothing daunted, I took two steps forward. I had Monsieur Maurice's card in
my hand. I held it out to him.
"Read it," I said. "It is from Monsieur Maurice."
But he crushed it in his hand without looking at it, and waved me back
authoritatively.
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