“I need a hospital for the wounded, and a prison for prisoners; will you take the Republican soldiers, wounded and prisoners, back to Vannes.”
“What do you mean, general?” exclaimed Roland.
“I give them, or rather I confide them to you. I regret that your horse was killed; so is mine. But there is still that of Brise-Bleu; accept it.”
The young man made a motion of rejection.
“Until you can obtain another, of course,” added Cadoudal, bowing.
Roland felt that he must put himself, at least in simplicity, on a level with the man with whom he was dealing.
“Shall I see you again, general?” he asked, rising.
“I doubt it, sir. My operations call me to the coast near Port-Louis; your duty recalls you to the Luxembourg.”
“What shall I tell the First Consul, general?”
“What you have seen, sir. He must judge between the Abbé Bernier’s diplomacy and that of Georges Cadoudal.”