Still, unless you are prepared to take that course, the only alternative is to remain here until the horses are sufficiently recovered.

But perhaps you think of walking ?" he added with a sniff.
"Such is your opinion, your time being worthless and it being of little moment where you spend it.

I have conceived a plan." "Ah!" "Has it not occurred to you that the danger which threatens us and which calls for the protection of a troop is only on this side of the Loire, where the Blaisois might be minded to attempt a rescue of the Chevalier?
But over yonder, Chevalier, on the Chambord side, who cares a fig for the Lord of Canaples or his fate?
None; is it not so ?" He made an assenting gesture, whereupon I continued: "This being so, I have bethought me that it will suffice if I take but three or four men and the sergeant as an escort, and cross the river with our prisoner after nightfall, travelling along the opposite shore until we reach Orleans.

What think you, Lieutenant ?" He shrugged his shoulders again.
"'T is you who command here," he answered with apathy, "not I." "Nevertheless, do you not think the plan a safe one, as well as one that will allay his Eminence's very natural impatience ?" "Oh, it is safe enough, I doubt not," he replied coldly.
"Your enthusiasm determines me," quoth I, with an irony that made him wince.

"And we will follow the plan, since you agree with me touching its excellence.