"I have made up my mind to give her the contents of my gun."
"That is a wise decision. When will you put it into execution?"
"Oh, either to-night or to-morrow, General."
"That's a nuisance, for I was just going to send you to Villers-Hellon."
"Oh, that doesn't matter, General. Is what I have to do urgent?"
"Very urgent."
"Well, I can go to Villers-Hellon,—it is only four leagues,—and be back by night. That will make eight leagues in the day. We have put many more behind us in hunting, General."
"True enough, Mocquet. I will give you a letter for M. Collard, and then you will set off."
"Yes, I will start at once, General."
My father got up and wrote to M. Collard. We will explain later who that gentleman was; in the meantime we will merely mention that he was one of my father's best friends.