"Hallo, Charles! So you go to the ball, do you? Is there any truth in the rumours that are running round the town?"
"The Prussians were attacked this morning. That's all we know. The Great Man's inclined to think it a feint. He doesn't think Boney will advance towards Charleroi: the roads are too bad. It's more likely the real attack will be on our right centre. Throw me over that sash, there's a good fellow!"
Worth gave it him, and watched him swathe the silken folds round his waist, so that the fringed ends fell gracefully down one thigh. The Colonel gave a last touch to the black stock about his neck, and struggled into his embroidered coat.
"Are you dining with us?"
"No, I dined early with the Duke. I don't know when I shall get to the ball: we've orders to remain at Headquarters."
"That sounds as though something is in the wind."
"Oh, there is something in the wind," said the Colonel, flicking one hessian boot with his handkerchief "God knows what, though! We're expecting to hear from Mons at any moment."
He picked up his gloves and cocked hat, charged Worth to make his excuses to Judith, and went back to the Rue Royale.
The Duke was in his dressing-room when, later in the evening, Baron Muffling came round to Headquarters with a despatch from Gneisenau, at Namur, but he called the Baron in to him immediately. The despatch confirmed the earlier tidings sent by Ziethen, and announced that Blucher was concentrating at Sombreffe, near the village of Ligny. General Gneisenau wanted to know what the Duke's intentions were, but the Duke was still obstinately awaiting news from Mons. He stood by the table, in his shirt-sleeves, an odd contrast to the Prussian in his splendid dress-uniform, and said with a note of finality in his voice which the Baron had begun to know well: "It is impossible for me to resolve on a point of concentration till I shall have received the Intelligence from Mons. When it arrives I will Immediately advise you."
There was nothing for Muffling to do but to withdraw. If he chafed at the delay, he gave no sign of it. He was aware of the Duke's obsession that the attack would fall on his right, and though he did not share this belief he was wise enough to perceive that nothing would be gained by argument. He went back to his own quarters to make out his report to Blucher, keeping a courier at his door to be in readiness to ride off as soon as he should have discovered the Duke's intentions.