“It wouldn't have hurt you to accept the blanket,” said Maurice to Fitzgerald.
“Curse it! I want nothing but two minutes freedom. It would be warm enough then.”
“No confidences, gentlemen,” warned the Colonel; “I understand English tolerably well.”
“Go to the devil, then, if you do!” said Fitzgerald discourteously.
“When the time comes,” tranquilly. “Of the two I like your friend the better. To be resigned to the inevitable is a sign of good mental balance.”
“I am not used to words,” replied the Englishman.
“You are used to orders. I am simply obeying mine. If I took you off your guard it was because I had to, and not because I liked that method best. Look alive, men; it's down hill from now on.”
A quarter of an hour later the troop arrived at the duchy's frontier post. There was no sleep here. The Colonel flung himself from his horse and exercised his legs.
“Sergeant,” he said, “how far behind the others?”
“They passed two hours ago, Excellency. And all is well?” deferentially.