I am sorry this new trouble has
befallen them; but they have brought it entirely upon themselves, poor
ladies. However, justice must be done; but I am sure you will agree
with me, Mrs. Conway, that if the matter can possibly be arranged
without exposure and publicity it shall be done so."
CHAPTER XVII.
QUATRE BRAS.
At ten o'clock Captain O'Connor returned and Lieutenant Desmond
hurried off.
"Were you sorry to leave, O'Connor?" Ralph asked that officer.
"No; I was glad to get away," he replied. "Knowing as I do that in
another twenty-four hours we may be engaged, and that in forty-eight
the greatest battle of the age may take place, it was horribly sad to
look on at the scene and wonder how many of the men laughing and
flirting and dancing so gayly there would be so soon lying stark and
cold, how many broken hearts there would be among the women. I felt
heartily glad that I had neither wife nor sweetheart there. It is not
often I feel in low spirits, but for once one could not help thinking.
Here it is a different thing; we are all soldiers, and whatever comes
we must do our duty and take our chance. But the gayety of that scene
jarred upon me, and I could see there were many, especially the older
men, who were thinking as I did. I dare say if I had found any
partners and gone in for dancing I should have thought but little
about it; but standing looking on the thoughts came.
Pages:
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405