They were old and warm friends. "And you are
come at the right time," said he. "It will soon be as hot here as in
Egypt."
Raynal laughed and said all the better.
General Raimbaut now joined the group of officers, and entered at once
in the business which had brought him. Addressing himself to
Colonel Dujardin, first he informs that officer he had presented his
observations to the commander-in-chief, who had given them the attention
they merited.
Colonel Dujardin bowed.
"But," continued General Raimbaut, "they are overruled by imperious
circumstances, some of which he did not reveal; they remain in his
own breast. However, on the eve of a general attack, which he cannot
postpone, that bastion must be disarmed, otherwise it would be too fatal
to all the storming parties. It is a painful necessity." He added, "Tell
Colonel Dujardin I count greatly on the courage and discipline of his
brigade, and on his own wise measures."
Colonel Dujardin bowed. Then he whispered in the other's ear, "Both will
alike be wasted."
The other colonels waved their hats in triumph at the
commander-in-chief's decision, and Raynal's face showed he looked on
Dujardin as a sort of spoil-sport happily defeated.
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