Mon Cher Guy,
Words cannot express my sadness upon learning that you had tendered your
resignation to Colonel d'Erring. Your years of honourable and outstanding
service in the Dragoon Guards will never be forgotten - by some at least.
I am equally saddened by the fact that I can fully understand the reasons
underlying your decision. The sanctions which Colonel d'Erring has proposed
are not nearly severe enough to deter repeats of this unspeakable behaviour
in the future and it is indeed a truly appalling precedent to set.
How can mere money possibly compensate an honourable officer for the loss of
a just reward which he has worked for so diligently and for so long?
Effectively it is rewarding those who have flouted regimental etiquette (by
allowing them to retain their ill-gotten ranks) whilst at the same time
punishing those who have _respected_ regimental etiquette by both denying
them any recognition for this and forcing them to undergo years of extra
service in their current commands.
Who knows? Perhaps the sight of your resignation on his desk will at last
convince Colonel d'Erring of the serious implications which this issue has
for the future of the regiment which is now in his care? Or perhaps the news
may ignite some spark of decency in those officers whose destructive
selfishness brought the regiment to this pretty pass?
If not, however, I am sure that, under the competent hands of my friend
Robert, the King's Musketeers will prove to be an honest regiment whose
officers will be happy to work together as brothers towards adding lustre to
the unit's good name - rather than take advantage of clerical errors in
order to steal a sly march over their comrades. Indeed, my deepest regret
regarding this whole affair is that it seems such an epithet may no longer
be
truthfully attached to the regiment which we have both served so faithfully
and for so long.
If you find yourself in need of a sympathetic ear you can be sure of finding
one at the Ball I am hosting for Princess Louisa in the first week, and if
there is ever anything I can do which may, in some small way, repay your
years of loyal and valued service to the regiment I commanded when it was
still an honour to do so, you need but ask
Your Friend
Lt.General le Comte Alain de Mylcandonai
