Monsieur does not read history?"
"'Tis impossible to read yours, since you have none," returned St.
Aulaire, with a contemptuous little laugh.
"We are making it every day, Monsieur," said Calvert, calmly.
"Ah, sir!" demanded Madame de St. Andre, "are all Americans so
presumptuous?"
"Yes, Madame--if 'tis presumptuous to admire General Washington."
"We have heard of him in effect," sneeringly broke in Monsieur de St.
Aulaire. "A lucky adventurer with a pretty talent for fighting British
cowards, a beggar who has not been turned away empty from our doors.
Why, hasn't the whole country given to him?--from the King down--and
truth to tell we were glad to give as long as he whipped the English."
"No, no, Monsieur de St. Aulaire," suddenly interrupted Madame de St.
Andre, turning upon him, "do not wrong France, do not wrong your King,
do not wrong Lafayette and Rochambeau and Dillon and so many others! We
gave because France was strong and America weak, because it was our
greatest happiness to help right her wrongs, because 'tis ever France's
way to succor the oppressed. As for General Washington, Monsieur
Calvert does well to admire him.
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