This
hand-grenade the commandant had dropped so coolly among them, it was a
long while ere they could recover from it enough to read the rest of the
letter,--
So I rode over to him, and found him on his back, fretting for want of
something to do. I told him the whole story. He undertook the business.
I have received his instructions, and next week shall be at his quarters
to clear off his arrears of business, and make acquaintance with all
your family, if they permit.
RAYNAL.
As the latter part of this letter seemed to require a reply, the
baroness wrote a polite note, and Jacintha sent Dard to leave it for the
commandant at Riviere's lodgings. But first they all sat down and wrote
kind and pitying and soothing letters to Edouard. Need I say these
letters fell upon him like balm?
They all inquired carelessly in their postscripts what he had decided
as their referee. He replied mysteriously that they would know that in
a week or two. Meantime, all he thought it prudent to tell them was that
he had endeavored to be just to both parties.
"Little solemn puppy," said Rose, and was racked with curiosity.
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