We were by this time all standing in a cluster in the porch of the villa,
before which stood the tubs with the finny spoil of the fish--pond, on a
small paddock of velvet grass, about forty yards square, separated from
the high--road by a low ornamental fence of green basket--work, as already
mentioned. The firing from the great guns increased, and every now and
then I thought I heard a distant sound, as if the reports of the guns
above us had been reflected from some precipitous bank."
"I did not know that there was any echo here," said the youngest girl.
"Alas, Janette!" said her brother, "I fear that is no echo;" and he put up
his hand to his ear, and listened in breathless suspense. The sound was
repeated.
"The Russian cannon replying to those on the hill!" said Mr with startling
energy. "God help us! it can no longer be an affair of posts; the heads
of the Allied columns must be in sight, for the French skirmishers are
unquestionably driven in."
A French officer at this moment rattled past us down the road at speed,
and vanished in the hollow, taking the direction of the town.
His hat fell off, as his horse swerved a little at the open gate as he
passed. He never stopped to pick it up. Presently a round shot, with a
loud ringing and hissing sound, pitched over the hill, and knocked one of
the fish--tubs close to us to pieces, scattering the poor fish all about
the lawn. With the recklessness of a mere boy I dashed out, and was busy
picking them up, when Mr-----called to me to come back.
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