Lorraine, aided by Jack, stepped from the post-chaise and stood shivering as two peasants came forward and lifted Rickerl. When they had taken him away to one of the stone houses she turned quietly to a gendarme and said: "Monsieur, can you tell me where the Emperor is?"
"The Emperor?" repeated the gendarme. "The Emperor is with his army, below there along the Meuse. They are fighting—since four this morning—at Sedan."
He pointed to the southeast.
She looked out across the wide plain.
"That convoy is going to Sedan," said the gendarme. "The army is near Sedan; there is a battle there."
"Thank you," said Lorraine, quietly. "Jack, the Emperor is near Sedan."
"Yes," he nodded; "we will go when you can stand it."
"I am ready. Oh, we must not wait, Jack; did you not see how they even attacked the wounded?"
He turned and looked into her eyes.
"It is the first French cheer I have heard," she continued, feverishly. "They beat back those Prussians and cheered for France! Oh, Jack, there is time yet! France is rising now—France is resisting. We must do our part; we must not wait. Jack, I am ready!"