Warner, much amused to observe the capture of this young man, followed them out to the south terrace.
He certainly was an ornamental young man of enchanting manners, and his popularity was immediate.
To Warner Philippa came presently:
"Where have you been?" she asked. "And couldn't you have taken me?"
"Dear child, I was out before sunrise prowling about the hills with that vagabond at my heels—Asticot."
"What did you see?"
"Uhlans on Vineyard Hill, across the Récollette. Wildresse was with them."
"He!"
"Yes, the miserable spy! If he's not gone clear away some of D'Aurès' men had better try to round him up and get rid of him.... After that, Sister Eila and I went to the school. More Uhlans came sniffing around, but they cleared out in a hurry when our cavalry appeared. Our artillery shelled the Germans out of the Esser quarries—you must have heard the firing?"
"Yes. We all thought that the Germans had arrived. Poor Mr. Gray looked so disgusted!"