It was first broken by Private Dard saying, with foolish triumph, "And I
held the hat for you, colonel."
"Ah, Raynal!" said General Raimbaut, sorrowfully, "it was not worth
while to come from Egypt for this."
Raynal made no reply to this. He drew out his watch, and said calmly, he
had no time to lose; he must inspect the detachments he was to command.
"Besides," said he, "I have some domestic arrangements to make. Hitherto
on these occasions I was a bachelor, now I am married." General Raimbaut
could not help sighing. Raynal read this aright, and turned to him, "A
droll marriage, my old friend; I'll tell you all about it if ever I
have the time. It began with a purchase, general, and ends with--with a
bequest, which I might as well write now, and so have nothing to think
of but duty afterwards. Where can I write?"
"Colonel Dujardin will lend you his tent, I am sure."
"Certainly."
"And, messieurs," said Raynal, "if I waste time you need not. You can
pick me my men from your brigades. Give me a strong spice of old hands."
The colonels withdrew on this, and General Raimbaut walked sadly and
thoughtfully towards the battery.
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