"A desperate battle has been fought."
"Another!" She thought of what Mr. Hobson had told her. "How has it ended? In whose favour? Are we safe here?"
"There is no cause for alarm. The Russians have been handsomely beaten again; but we have suffered considerable loss," he said, hesitating a little, fearing to be too brusque with his bad news.
"Is that why the general could not come?"
"Exactly. He has had a great deal to do."
"Nothing should have prevented him from coming here."
It never seemed to have occurred to her that he had been in any danger; nor, as McKay noticed, had she asked whether he was safe and well.
"It was quite impossible for him to come. He—he—"
"Pray go on! You are very tantalising."
"The general has been badly wounded," McKay now blurted out abruptly.