“If you were there, what could you do?”
“I do not know what, General, but I am willing to risk my life in the attempt to save her.”
“I cannot see,” said the General, whose feelings were beginning to soften at the sight of the young man’s distress, “what you could do if you were in the city.”
“General, I must go.”
“If you do go, you are liable to be arrested as a spy yourself.”
“I will have to take that risk. General. How did you enable her to go into the city?”
“O, that is managed easily enough.”
“Then, General, in heaven’s name, let me go,” exclaimed Ernest, “let me go. If I do not save her, I will return and devote my life to avenging her death. I will be the bravest soldier in your army.”
“Very well, sir, you can try it.”
“Thanks, General, ten thousand thanks. I shall never forget your kindness as long as I live. When can I start?”