The orders for the concentration of the divisions had become known, though as yet all were in ignorance as to the reason for their issue.

The three officers joined some of the groups and listened to the talk.

The general idea was that the duke had heard that the French were gathering for an attack, and these measures were merely precautionary.

It might be days yet before the affair really began.
Still it was important news; and there were pale faces among the ladies at this sudden reminder that the assembly at Brussels was not a mere holiday gathering, but that war, grim, earnest, and terrible, was impending.
"We had better be getting back to our quarters," Captain O'Connor said.

"Everything will have to be packed up this evening." "But does this mean that the troops are to be under arms all night ?" Stapleton asked.
"That it does, Stapleton.