She followed the movements of the walking-stick with an intelligence which he would hardly have credited her with.

And, indeed, it was no inconsiderable feat, seeing that for want of a finer instrument Louis's plan was hopelessly mixed up with his line of march and other matters.
"Was Nevill there ?" she asked, casually, at the close of a spirited account of his last engagement.
"No.

He was with the volunteers, farther south." He looked at her and her eyes dropped.
"Which is north and which is south ?" The walking-stick indicated the points of the compass.
"I see.

And you were there in that great splodge in the middle.

Go on.
What did you do then ?" The walking-stick staggered in a wavering line eastwards.