The army should inform itself immediately. I think it is better
that you penetrate to the river to-morrow, if you are not afraid,
to see what is between, and to return by the woods. I shall
trouble you to take a letter to the General Brown. It will be
ready at any hour."

"At six?" I inquired.

"At six, certainly, if you desire to start then," he replied.

He rose and took my arm affectionately and conducted me to the big
drawing-room. Two of the ladies were singing as one played the
guitar. I looked in vain for the Misses de Lambert. The others
were all there, but they had gone. I felt a singular depression at
their absence and went to my room shortly to get my rest, for I had
to be off early in the morning. Before going to bed, however, I
sat down to think and do some writing. But I could not for the
life of me put away the thought of the young ladies. They looked
alike, and yet I felt sure they were very different. Somehow I
could not recall in what particular they differed. I sat a time
thinking over it. Suddenly I heard low voices, those of women
speaking in French; I could not tell from where they came.

"I do wish she would die, the hateful thing!" said one. (It must
be understood these words are more violent in English than they
seem in French.)

"The colonel is severe to-night," said another.

"The colonel--a fine baroness indeed--vieille tyran! I cannot love