‘Of this fact, then, you are quite certain. Bonaparte is on his march hither?’
‘I have heard it spoken of every day for the last week,’ replied I; ‘and it was in consequence of this that the English officers used to remark, if Masséna but knew it, he’d make a dash at them, and clear his way through at once.’
‘They said this, did they?’ said he, in a low voice, and as if pondering over it.
‘Yes; one and all agreed in thinking there could not be a doubt of the result.’
‘Where have you served, sir?’ asked he, suddenly turning on me, and with a look that showed he was resolved to test the character of the witness.
‘With Moreau, sir, on the Rhine and the Schwarz-wald; in Ireland with Humbert.’
‘Your regiment?’
‘The Ninth Hussar.’
‘The “Tapageurs”’ said he, laughing. ‘I know them, and glad I am not to have their company here at this moment; you were a lieutenant?’
‘Yes, sir.’