"I agree with you—wild and impossible."
"Does the French commander-in-chief approve of it, sir?"
"General Canrobert does; but I think we have nearly seen the last of him. I expect any day to hear that he has given up the command."
"Who will succeed him, sir?"
"Pélissier, I believe—a very different sort of man, as we shall see."
A few days later the change which has already been referred to took place, and Marshal Pélissier came over to the English headquarters to take part in a council of war. All the principal general officers of both armies were present, and so was McKay, whose perfect acquaintance with French made him useful in interpreting and facilitating the free interchange of ideas.
The new French commander-in-chief was a prominent figure at the council—a short, stout, hard-featured man, brusque in movements and abrupt in speech; a man of much decision of character, one who made up his mind quickly, was intolerant of all opposition, and doggedly determined to force his will upon others.
When it came to the turn of the French generals to speak, one of them began a long protest against the attack as too hazardous. Several others brought forward pet schemes of their own for reducing the place.
"Enough!" said Pélissier, peremptorily. "You are not brought here to discuss whether or how we should attack. That point is already settled by my lord and myself."
He looked at Lord Raglan, who bowed assent.