"A daring, a clever scheme," he said as Harry concluded. "You are an Englishman, they tell me; a soldier, I presume?"
"No, Monsieur le General, I have not that honour."
"That is the army's loss. You have shown great quickness, great skill, and no less courage. I compliment you, Monsieur."
"I did what I could, of course, Monsieur; but things would have ended very differently but for the peasants' bold attack at the last."
"Bah! I know them; they would have done nothing without a leader, but with a leader they will fight—yes, and well. I doubt whether, in point of military honour, the French colonel—whom I will tax on the subject presently—did right to reassume command after he had yielded his sword; still, much may be forgiven him; naturally he was chagrined and perturbed; and he is moreover wounded, as I hear."
The general spoke with difficulty; he was very weak.
"You have saved your convoy; that is well. You will wish to take it to Breda. I fear I cannot move. Madame la Comtesse, I shall be your patient for a time——"
"Monsieur, I am honoured," said the lady.
"But the prisoners must be carried to Breda also. Monsieur, that duty—that honour—must be yours. You have laid many under an obligation: Mynheer Grootz, your excellent employer; the garrison at Breda; Madame la Comtesse, whose house you have saved; and myself—especially myself, for without doubt you preserved me from capture, and in my wounded state capture might very well have finished me."
"I hope for your speedy recovery, Monsieur."