"
He paused and glanced at Desiree. It was his creed that good blood
should show an example of self-restraint and a certain steadfast,
indifferent courage.
"Not so much among the French," he said, "as among the Bavarians and
Italians. It is an odd way of showing patriotism, to gain victories
for the conqueror. One hoped--" he paused and made a gesture with
his right hand, scarcely indicative of a staunch hope, "that the
man's star might be setting, but it would appear to be still in the
ascendant. Charles," he added, as an afterthought, "would be on the
staff. No doubt he only saw the fighting from a distance."
Desiree, from whose face the colour had faded, nodded cheerfully
enough.
"Oh yes," she answered, "I have no doubt he is safe. He has good
fortune."
For she was an apt pupil, and had already learnt that the world only
wishes to leave us in undisputed possession of our anxieties or
sorrows, however ready it may be to come forward and take a hand in
good fortune.
"But there is no definite news," said Mathilde, hardly looking up
from the needlework at which her fingers were so deft and
industrious.
"No."
"No news of Charles, I mean," she continued, "or of any of our
friends. Of Monsieur de Casimir, for instance?"
"No. As for Colonel de Casimir," returned Sebastian thoughtfully,
"he, like Charles, holds some staff appointment of which one does
not understand the scope. He is without doubt uninjured.
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