Within the wood they were practically safe, and had hurried forward a couple of miles, when Aimée suddenly heard voices and loud laughter ahead. A number of Uhlans were riding in single file up the path in their direction, therefore, in an instant she dashed away into the undergrowth until they had passed, an example followed by Edmond.
Then, when the enemy had gone, they once more went forward again, but full of caution lest they should be taken by surprise.
Those five miles were the longest either of them had ever covered, for every yard was full of breathless terror. They knew not where, an outpost might be lurking, for they were gradually approaching the Belgian front.
It was nearly two o’clock in the afternoon when, on emerging from the wood into the hot sunshine again, they found themselves above a tiny whitewashed village, with slated roofs and thin church spire—the village of Assesse.
This place they carefully avoided lest it should be occupied by the enemy, but approaching a field not far away, Edmond said:
“See yonder! darling, that old black shed. In there, my uniform is hidden beneath some straw. Until night comes on I dare not change.”
“Then let us hide in the shed till night,” she suggested. “You can change after dark, and we can then go forward.”
He sighed. The situation was, he knew, critical. “You know the risk we shall run, darling. Are you really prepared for it?”
“I will face any danger at your side, Edmond. You have saved my life to-day, remember, and at imminent risk of your own.”
“Because I love you, my own darling,” was his quick response. “I have thought only of you, and of you alone. I must save you, and God will surely assist me in so doing.”