'Suppose we have judged ill, suppose we were defeated ?' 'Defeated, madam ?' returned the Baron, with a touch of ill-humour.

'Is the dog defeated by the hare?
Our troops are all cantoned along the frontier; in five hours the vanguard of five thousand bayonets shall be hammering on the gates of Brandenau; and in all Gerolstein there are not fifteen hundred men who can manoeuvre.

It is as simple as a sum.

There can be no resistance.' 'It is no great exploit,' she said.

'Is that what you call glory?
It is like beating a child.' 'The courage, madam, is diplomatic,' he replied.