"I knew I should find you in the Madeleine," said Lemercier, "and I
wished much to know when you had news from Duplessis. He and your fair
fiancee are with your aunt still staying at Rochebriant?"
"Certainly. A pigeon arrived this morning with a few lines. All well
there."
"And Duplessis thinks, despite the war, that he shall be able, when the
time comes, to pay Louvier the mortgage-sum?"
"He never doubts that. His credit in London is so good. But of course
all works of improvement are stopped."
"Pray did he mention me?--anything about the messenger who was to pierce
the Prussian lines?"
"What! has the man not arrived? It is two weeks since he left."
"The Uhlans have no doubt shot him--the assassins, and drunk up my 25,000
francs--the thieves."
"I hope not. But in case of delay, Duplessis tells me I am to remit to
you 2,000 francs for your present wants. I will send them to you this
evening."
"How the deuce do you possess such a sum?"
"I came from Brittany with a purse well filled. Of course I could have
no scruples in accepting money from my destined father-in-law."
"And you can spare this sum?"
"Certainly--the State now provides for me; I am in command of a Breton
company."
"True. Come and dine with me and De Breze."
"Alas! I cannot. I have to see both the Vandemars before I return to
the camp for the night. And now-hush--come this way (drawing Frederic
further from De Breze), I have famous news for you. A sortie on a grand
scale is imminent; in a few days we may hope for it."
"I have heard that so often that I am incredulous."
"Take it as a fact now."
"What! Trochu has at last matured his plan?"
"He has changed its original design, which was to cut through the
Prussian lines to Rouen, occupying there the richest country for
supplies, guarding the left bank of the Seine and a watercourse to convoy
them to Paris. The incidents of war prevented that: he has a better plan
now. The victory of the army of the Loire at Orleans opens a new
enterprise. We shall cut our way through the Prussians, join that army,
and with united forces fall on the enemy at the rear. Keep this a secret
as yet, but rejoice with me that we shall prove to the invaders what men
who fight for their native soil can do under the protection of Heaven."
"Fox, Fox, _mon cheri_," said Lemercier, as he walked towards the _cafe
Riche_ with De Breze; "thou shalt have a _festin de Balthazar_ under the
protection of Heaven."