For a moment I could scarce restrain a shout of joy. There had been talk for some time about a French alliance, but we had been disappointed so often that we had given up hope of it. Now the news had come with the suddenness of a thunder-clap. I believe that Marcel felt as I did, but it was of high importance that we should keep our countenances.
"Whence did you get such a report as that?" I asked, affecting to treat it with contempt and unbelief.
"From the people of the city," replied Waters.
"Where did they get it?" asked Marcel.
"I think it was brought in from the American army," replied the man, "and if your honor will pardon me for saying it, there is no doubt whatever about its truth."
"King George will now have two enemies to fight instead of one, and he has not whipped the first," said one of the loungers.
"Fear not that his armies will not be equal to the emergency," said I, thinking it needful to preserve my character as a British officer.
"Then they will have to do something more than feast and dance in this city," said the bold fellow. The others murmured their approval and applause, and Marcel and I, bidding them to beware how they talked treason, strolled on.
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news," said Waters, humbly.