Then probably they will be allowed to lie down, and
perhaps will light bivouac fires. But it means business, I can tell
you."
"Then I for one shan't go to the ball," Ralph said. "No doubt it will
be a pretty sight; but there have been lots of balls, and this bivouac
will be a new experience altogether."
"I don't know that you are wrong, Conway," Captain O'Connor said.
"Beside, you will probably find the colonel will issue orders that
only a certain number of officers may go. I shall look in for an hour
or two just to see the scene. But I don't know many people, and with a
room full of generals and colonels, and three or four men to each
lady, there won't be much chance of getting partners."
When they reached the village Stapleton said good-by to them, as his
company lay half a mile further on; and Captain O'Connor and Ralph
entered their quarters. They found their servants busy packing up the
baggage.
"What is this all about, O'Connor?" Lieutenant Desmond asked.
"It is in orders that the whole division is to assemble to-night in
readiness to march at a moment's notice. News has come that the French
have attacked the Prussian outposts, and the duke is not to be caught
napping. Of course it may be nothing but an outpost skirmish; still it
may be the beginning of operations on a grand scale."
"And there is an order," Desmond said dolefully, "that only one
officer in each company is to go to the ball.
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