"And all this happened again, they say, in 1870. L'Ombre appeared in the moat. Every clock continued to strike six, day after day for a whole week, until the battle of Sedan ended.... My grandfather died there with the light cavalry.... I am so afraid I am taxing your courtesy, Captain Neeland——"
"I am intensely interested," he repeated,[pg 106] watching the lovely, sensitive face which pride and dread of misinterpretation had slightly flushed again.
"It is only to explain—perhaps to justify myself for writing—for asking that an officer be sent here from Lorient for a few days——"
"I understand, Countess."
"Thank you.... Had it been merely for myself—for my own fears—my personal safety, I should not have written. But our misfortunes seem to be coincident with my country's mishaps.... So I thought—if they sent an officer who would be kind enough to understand——"
"I understand ... L'Ombre has appeared in the moat again, has it not?"
"Yes, it came a week ago, suddenly, at five o'clock in the afternoon."
"And—the clocks?"
"For a week they have been all wrong."
"What hour do they strike?" he asked curiously.