And Rapp,
doggedly fortifying his frozen city, knew that he was to hold
Dantzig at any cost--a remote, far-thrown outpost on the Northern
sea, cut off from all help, hundreds of miles from the French
frontier, nearly a thousand miles from Paris.
At Marienwerder, Barlasch and Desiree found themselves in the midst
of that bustle and confusion which attends the arrival or departure
of an army corps. The majority of the men were young and of a dark
skin. They seemed gay, and called out salutations to which Barlasch
replied curtly enough.
"They are Italians," said he to his companion; "I know their talk
and their manners. To you and me, who come from the North, they are
like children. See that one who is dancing. It is some fete. What
is to-day?"
"It is New Year's Day," replied Desiree.
"New Year's Day," echoed Barlasch. "Good. And we have been on the
road since six o'clock; and I, who have forgotten to wish you--" He
paused and called cheerily to the horses, which had covered more
than forty miles since leaving their stable at Thorn. "Bon Dieu!"
he said in a lower tone, glancing at her beneath the ice-bound rim
of his fur cap, "Bon Dieu--what am I to wish you, I wonder?"
Desiree did not answer, but smiled a little and looked straight in
front of her.
Barlasch made a movement of the shoulders and eyebrows indicative of
a hidden anger.
"We are friends," he asked suddenly, "you and I?"
"Yes.
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