It might even defeat Barode Barouche. In
the first place, Carnac was young, good-looking, personable, and taking
in his manner. Barouche was old, experienced, with hosts of enemies and
many friends, but with injurious egotism. An interview was, therefore,
arranged at Headquarters.
On the morning of the day it took place, Carnac's anguished mother went
with him to the little railway station of Charlemont. She had slept
little the night before; her mind was in an eddy of emotions. It seemed
dreadful that Carnac should fight his own father, repeating what Fabian
had done in another way. Yet at the bottom of her heart there was a
secret joy. Some native revolt in her had joy in the thought that the son
might extort a price for her long sorrow and his unknown disgrace.
As she had listened to Barouche at the meeting, she realized how sincere
yet insincere he was; how gifted and yet how ungracious was his mind. Her
youth was over; long pain and regret had chastened her. She was as lonely
a creature as ever the world knew; violence was no part of her equipment;
and yet terrible memories made her assent to this new phase of Carnac's
life. She wondered what Barouche would think. There was some ancient
touch of war in her which made her rejoice that after long years the
hammer should strike.
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