De Rothan twitted him maliciously.
"Come, come, friend Durrell, put away that grieved look. I have all these people in the hollow of my hand, and for the glory of La Belle France, and Liberty. A month ago you would have been patting me on the shoulder."
Durrell looked at him with an old man's thin distrust.
"Yes, but what are your plans?"
"Why, to pick up some of these fine English estates, to live as one of the grandees of the Empire, to marry and found a family!"
"That is all very magnificent, but——"
"Men of courage are ready to meet the 'buts' of life. A general has his line of retreat as well as his line of advance. You will not object to joining me if I have to return to France!"
"What do you mean?"
"If we are foiled I shall not leave you behind to be hanged. I am too good a comrade. I shall take you and Nance back with me to France."
Durrell stood open-mouthed, staring, and De Rothan smiled at his amazed face.