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VIII
We had navigated the cape of the New Year and
spring was approaching. We had spent the winter in gay
festivities, in intimate companionship, the three of us.
But it had all been very dreary : Ave had quarrelled and
become reconciled, fought battles and made armistices,
teased one another and become the best of friends again.
I had stayed away and had come back.
Now March was near, a fateful month in the countries
of the north, because passion becomes all-powerful and
the destinies of lovers are fulfilled : vows are broken, the
ties of honour, of family, of friendship are set aside.
The Baron was on duty early in the month, and invited
me to spend a day with him at the guard-house. I
accepted his invitation. A son of the people, a descendant
of the middle-classes, cannot but be impressed by the
insignia of the highest power in the land. At the side of
my friend I walked along the passage, continually saluted
by passing officers ; I listened to the rattling of the swords ;
the " Who goes there? " of the sentinels, the beating of
the drums. We arrived at the guard-room. The mili-
tary decorations of the room stirred my imagination ; the
portraits of the great generals filled me with reverence ;
the colours taken at Liitzen and Leipzic, the new flags,
the bust of the reigning king, the helmets, the resplendent
breast-pieces, the plans of battles, all these roused in me
that feeling of uneasiness which the lower classes feel in
contemplating the symbols of the ruling powers. And in
his impressive surroundings the personality of the captain
became more imposing ; I kept close to his side in case any
unpleasantness should arise.
98
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