My ambassadress had also returned, and there were present three or four others.

The reunion was gloomy.

But one question remained for discussion: Was there any hope left?
The message I received as to the means of escape was dark and discouraging.

Nothing remained but the hazards of some desperate enterprise.

What had chiefly animated our hopes for the few days was the knowledge that disaffection and conspiracy existed in the ranks of the British army.