"None," replied L'Oiseleur, leaning his head on his hand.
De Fresne stared at him, frowning. "I do not think that you are taking this business seriously enough."
And at that Aymar raised his head and laughed. "Yes, if not having had any sleep for two nights, if thinking about it every moment of the twenty-four hours, and having only this morning finally made up my mind not to blow my brains out is not taking it seriously, then I am not doing so!"
"I'm sorry," said his lieutenant briefly. "Do you intend, then, just to go on and disregard—what will be said?"
"I thought I would try that," replied Aymar, leaning back in his chair and suddenly looking very young and tired. "I would rather tell the men, but it could do no good, and I think I ought to pull the remnant together and keep the enemy's communications cut a little longer.—You see, after all, I am not entirely bought by the Imperialists!"
"I never said you were," retorted de Fresne gruffly. "But I think that you will find yourself obliged to take some definite step.—May I say what I think you ought to do?"
The young man nodded.
"Give up your command for the time, go to Sol de Grisolles, and ask for a military enquiry, so that you can justify yourself."
"Give up my command—have myself put under arrest!" exclaimed L'Oiseleur. "No, certainly not!" He looked at the giver of this unwelcome advice a moment and added, "May I ask what you mean by 'ought'—that it would be to my advantage, or that you conceive it to be my duty?"
"Both," answered de Fresne with brevity.