The women in thick shawls, with hoods or
scarves concealing their faces, stood silently beside their
husbands. It was only the children who asked a thousand questions,
and got never an answer from the cautious descendants of a Hanseatic
people.
"Is it the French or the Russians that are coming?" asked a child
near to Desiree.
"Both," was the answer.
"But which will come first?"
"Wait and see--silentium," replied the careful Dantziger, looking
over his shoulder.
Desiree had changed her clothes, and wore beneath her furs the dress
that had been prepared for the journey to Zoppot so long ago.
Mathilde had noticed the dress, which had not been seen for six
months. Lisa, more loquacious, nodded to it as to a friend when
helping Desiree with her furs.
"You have changed," she said, "since you last wore it."
"I have grown older--and fatter," answered Desiree cheerfully.
And Lisa, who had no imagination, seemed satisfied with the
explanation. But the change was in Desiree's eyes.
With Sebastian's permission--almost at his suggestion--they had
selected the Grune Brucke as the point from which to see the sight.
This bridge spans the Mottlau at the entrance to the Langenmarkt,
and the roadway widens before it narrows again to pass beneath the
Grunes Thor. There is rising ground where the road spreads like a
fan, and here they could see and be seen.
"Let us hope," said Sebastian, "that two of these gentlemen may
perceive you as they pass.
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