Had I been in his place I dare say I should have followed his footsteps." Not long after they arrived at the frontier where they were to separate, to meet again under conditions disagreeable to both.

The Colonel gave him additional instructions.
"Go; return as quickly as possible." "Never fear; I should not like to miss the finale to this opera bouffe." "Rail on, my son; call it by any name you please, only do not interrupt the prompter;" and with this the Colonel waved him an adieu.
Maurice began the journey through the mountain pass, thinking and planning and scheming.

However he looked at the situation, the end was the same: the Osians were doomed.

If he himself played false and retained the certificates until too late to be of benefit to the duchess, war would follow; and the kingdom would be soundly beaten....
Would Prince Frederick still hold to his agreement and marry her Royal Highness, however ill the fortunes of war fared?
There was a swift current of blood to his heart.

The Voiture-verse of a countess faded away....