32 STORIES FROM DAUDET

moment a horse, urged at full gallop,
dashes into the courtyard. An aide-
de-camp covered with mud forces his
way through the officers, and leaps the
chateau steps at a bound: ‘ Marshal!
Marshal!’ . . . His reception should
have been seen. . . . All puffing with
rage and red as a turkey-cock, the
Marshal appears at the window, his
billiard-cue in his hand.

‘What has happened? . . . What’s
the matter? . . . Are there no sentries
here, then ?’

?

 

‘But, Marshal

‘Well, presently. Damnation! let
them wait for my orders.’ And the
window is shut down again with a
bang.

Let them wait for his orders! Why,
it is what they are doing, poor fellows.
The wind drives the rain and the grape-
shot full in their faces. Whole
battalions are destroyed, while others
stand useless, weapons in their hands,
without knowing any reason for their