Mecsey ran out from the courtyard at my approach to make sure I had returned unhurt; but once certain of that, he became stolid as ever.
"Get the horses saddled," I said, before entering the house. "We shall start soon."
"Not to-night, captain, surely?" cried my hostess, whom I had not noticed standing on the steps. "The count will be so disappointed. He has reckoned so much on your company this evening."
"And I would very much like to stay; but in a matter of duty a soldier has no choice."
"That is what Arnim feared you would say. However, you cannot go until after dinner."
"It's rather a queer way of entertaining one's guest," laughed the count as we entered--"to set him on a perch all day long. I hope you have not suffered martyrdom in vain?"
"No. Thanks to your kindness, I can take the general the fullest particulars of the enemy's force."
"And Captain Botskay wishes to go at once," said my hostess.
The count sighed. "We must not keep him," he said. "His information may be of the utmost importance to the general. But you will dine before going, captain, will you not?"
Now to this I readily consented, as it gave me a little further time with my host, for whom I was beginning to feel a warm friendship.