He knew nothing of the envy
realized by many of the courtiers when they saw the queen present
him with the medal taken from her own neck, and that, too, of an
order so distinguished as St. Sebastian.
"What sort of spirit has befriended you, Colonel Bezan?" said one of
his early friends; "luck seems to lavish her efforts upon you."
"I have been lucky," replied the soldier.
"Lucky! the whole court rings with your praise, and the queen
delights to honor you."
"The queen has doubly repaid my poor services," continued the young
officer.
"Where will you stop, colonel?"
"Stop?"
"Yes; when will you have done with promotion?-at a general's
commission?"
"No fear of that honor being very quickly tendered to me," was the
reply; while at the same moment he secretly felt how much he should
delight in every stop that raised him in rank, and thus entitled him
to positions and honor.
Such conversations were not unfrequent; for those who did not
particularly envy him, were still much surprised at his rapid growth
in favor with the throne, his almost magic success in battle, and
delighted at the prompt reward which he met in payment for the
exercise of those qualities which they could not themselves but
honor.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168