"There is no mine to be sprung here?"
The young officer heard him with great politeness, but declined giving any
answer. The next moment he turned towards the ladies, and was making
himself as agreeable as time and circumstances would admit; when a shot
came crashing through the roof, broke down the ceiling, and knocking the
flue of the stove to pieces, rebounded from the wall, and rolled
harmlessly beneath the table. He was the only person who did not start,
or evince any dread. He merely cast his eyes upward and smiled. He then
turned to poor-----, who stood quite collected, but very pale, near where
the stove had stood, and held out his hand to him.
"On my honour," said the young soldier, "it grieves me to the very heart;
but I must obey my orders. It is no longer an affair of posts; the enemy
is pressing on us in force. The Allied columns are in sight; their
cannon shot have but now penetrated your roof; we have but driven in their
pickets; very soon they will be here; and in the event of their advance,
my orders are to burn down this house and the neighbouring village."
A sudden flush rushed into Mr-----'s face.
"Indeed! does the Prince really--"
The young officer bowed, and with something more of sternness in his
manner than he had yet used, he said, "Mr-----, I duly appreciate your
situation, and respect your feelings; but the Prince of Eckmuhl is my
superior officer, and under other circumstances"--Here he slightly touched
the hilt of his sword.
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