She replied with a flash of spirit: "Oh, the devil! You at least were fair game!"
He gave a short laugh. "Touche! I might have known! I cut an ignoble figure beside your heroic staff officer, do I not? You have doubtless heard that my brigade fled - fled without firing a shot!"
"I hadn't heard," she replied. "I am sorry." There did not seem to be anything more to say. She tried to find something, and added: "It was not that. I always loved Charles Audley."
"Thank you! It needs no more! Convey my felicitations to the Colonel: I wish that that shell had blown him to perdition!"
She was spared having to answer him by Worth's entering the room at that moment. The Count, picking up his shako, held out his hand. "Adieu! It is unlikely that we meet again."
She shook hands, and went back to the Colonel. Worth attempted to thank the Count for his kind offices the previous day, but was cut short.
"It is nothing. I was, in fact, ordered by my General to do my utmost possible for the Colonel. I am happy to learn that my poor efforts were not wasted. I am returning immediately to my brigade."
Worth escorted him to the door, merely remarking: "You must allow me, however, to tell you that I cannot but consider myself under a deep obligation to you."
"Oh, parbleu! It is quite unnecessary!" He shook hands, but paused half way down the steps, and looked back. "You will tell the Colonel, if you please, that his message was delivered," he said, and saluted, and walked quickly away.
Worth had hardly shut the door when another knock fell upon it. He opened it again to find Creevey on the top step, beaming all over his shrewd countenance, and evidently bubbling with news.