But missing, failing by ever so little, it left the three ill-equipped to continue the struggle on lower grounds.

They sat silent, Fabri almost convinced, the others dejected: and Blondel sat silent also, hardened by his victory, and hating them for the manner of it.

Was not his life as dear to him as their wives and children were to them?
And was it not at stake?
Yet he did not whine and pule to them.

God! they whine, they complain, who had long years to live and rose of mornings without counting the days, and, at the worst and were Geneva taken, had but the common risks to run and many a chance of escape! While he--yet he did not pule to them! He did not stab them unfairly, cruelly, striving to reach their tender spots, to take advantage of their kindness of heart.
He had no thought, no notion of betraying them; but, had he such, it would serve them right! It would repay them selfishness for selfishness, greed for greed! In his place they would not hesitate.

He could see at what a price they set their petty lives, and how little they would scruple to buy them in the dearest market.