"I know the way you mean," said Peregrine. "I went to Nivelles one day last autumn, with a party of friends, and I believe we turned off the chaussee about four miles beyond Genappe."
"That would be Quatre-Bras," said the Count.
"Another pretty name for you, Lady Worth," said Barbara. "What is that monument I can see in the distance, Etienne?"
He glanced southwards, following the direction of her pointing finger. "Merely the Observatory. There is nothing here of interest, no monuments, no famous scenes."
"Very true; it is infamously tame!" she said, with one of her flickering smiles. "And yet I don't know! Had you taken us to Malplaquet, or Oudenarde, you would have dragged us through hedges and over muddy fields to look at an old battlefield, I daresay. Nothing is more tedious, for there is never anything to be seen but what you may as well look at anywhere else! My late husband plagued my life out with such expeditions. I have seen Sedgemoor, and Naseby, and Newbury - two battlefields there, as I remember - and I give you my word there was nothing to choose between any of them, except that one was not so far from the road as another."
Peregrine, who had been gazing abstractedly to the south, said: "Well, I suppose for all we know there might be a battle fought hereabouts, might there not? Isn't the Charleroi road one of the main ways into France?"
"Oh, don't, Perry!" said his sister. "This is too peaceful a spot for battles. There are other ways into France, are there not, Count?"
"Assuredly, madame. There is, for instance, the road through Mons. But Sir Peregrine has reason. It is to guard this highway that my division is quartered about Nivelles."
"Oh, you don't frighten us, Etienne!" said Barbara. .When Boney comes - if he comes, which I am beginning to doubt - you will meet him at the frontier, and send him about his business. Or he may send you about yours. I shall certainly remain in Brussels. How exciting to be besieged!"
"How can you talk so?" Judith said, vexed at the flippancy of these remarks. "You do not know what you are saying! Come, it is time we were returning to the chateau!"