"You have been much thrown with him?"
"Yes, sir. He was my father's ward. He has always been a brother and friend to me."
"I am glad to hear it. He is a friend worth having." After a slight break the General remarked, "Napoleon made a blunder there, for once. The absence of proper exchange falls at least as heavily upon the French as upon ourselves. How long were you imprisoned at Bitche?"
"Nearly nine months, sir."
"The place has been described as a hell upon earth."
"Yes, sir." Roy looked up into the now grave face. "That is not too strong a description. It is—awful."
"I must hear more another day—" as some one else came up, claiming attention. "By the bye, you know Captain Keene also. He spoke to me of you."
"Yes, sir. We are connected."
"Well, Baron, I shall expect a good deal from a friend of Ivor's."
"I will do my best, sir, not to disappoint you."