Desaix pressed a kiss upon it, and from his eyes,
unused to tears, there fell a drop upon the young man's hand.
"General," cried Louis, in amazement, "what are you doing?"
"I am paying my homage to misfortune and to the past," said Desaix,
solemnly, "and the tear which I drop on your hand is the seal of my
fidelity and silence in the future. Young man, I swear to you that I
will cherish your secret in my heart as a hallowed treasure, and
will defend with my life's blood the papers which your uncle,
General Kleber, has intrusted to my care this day. I am a soldier of
the republic, I have pledged my fidelity to her, and must and shall
keep it. I cannot become a partisan; but I shall always be the
protector of misfortune, and a helper in time of need. Trust me in
this, and accept me as your friend."
"I do accept you, general," said Louis, gently, "and if I do not
promise to love you just as tenderly as I love my uncle, General
Kleber, who has been to me father, brother, and protector, and to
whom I owe every thing, yet, I can assure you, that, after him,
there is no one whom I will love as I shall you, and there is no one
in Europe who can contend with you for my love. I am very poor in
friends, and yet I feel that my heart is rich in love that no one
desires now."
"Preserve that possession well, my son," said Kleber, as he took
leave of his son, and laid his hand on the head of the young man.
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