She appeared larger, more capable in spite of the
pallor which blanched her olive skin.
The two ladies were dressed in deepest mourning. The father, too, was
in mourning, huddled down in the seat in a crushed attitude, his legs
carefully covered with the great fur rugs. Rene was wearing his campaign
uniform under his storm coat. In spite of his injuries, he had not
wished to retire from the army. He had been transferred to a technical
office till the termination of the war.
The Desnoyers family were on the way to carry out their long-cherished
hope.
Upon recovering consciousness after the fatal news, the father had
concentrated all his will power in one petition.
"I must see him. . . . Oh, my son! . . . My son!"
Vain were the senator's efforts to show him the impossibility of such
a journey. The fighting was still going on in the zone where Julio had
fallen. Later on, perhaps, it might be possible to visit it. "I want to
see it!" persisted the broken-hearted old man. It was necessary for
him to see his son's grave before dying himself, and Lacour had to
requisition all his powers, for four long months formulating requests
and overcoming much opposition, in order that Don Marcelo might be
permitted to make the trip.
Finally a military automobile came one morning for the entire Desnoyers
family. The senator could not accompany them.
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