Already the smile had died away from their lips.

Olivier's face was no longer mocking, but it was dark and stern.

"There is a small open space behind the horse lines," said he.
"We have held a few affairs of honour there and it has done very
well. We shall be there, Captain Gerard, at the hour you name."

I was in the act of bowing to thank them for their acceptance
when the door of the mess-room was flung open and the colonel
hurried into the room, with an agitated face.

"Gentlemen," said he, "I have been asked to call for a volunteer
from among you for a service which involves the greatest possible
danger. I will not disguise from you that the matter is serious
in the last degree, and that Marshal Lannes has chosen a cavalry
officer because he can be better spared than an officer of
infantry or of engineers. Married men are not eligible. Of the
others, who will volunteer?"

I need not say that all the unmarried officers stepped to the
front. The colonel looked round in some embarrassment.

I could see his dilemma. It was the best man who should go, and
yet it was the best man whom he could least spare.

"Sir," said I, "may I be permitted to make a suggestion?"

He looked at me with a hard eye. He had not forgotten my
observations at supper. "Speak!" said he.