"You see," Leigh said, when the patrol had ridden on, "the real soldiers do not like the work they are called upon to do, and they have no belief in the National Guards, or in the new levies.

It will make all the difference, in their own fighting, when they know that they cannot rely upon some of the troops working with them.

I have no doubt that what they say of the National Guards is true.
They have had to come out because they are summoned, but they can have no interest in the war against us and, doubtless, many of them hate the government in Paris just as much as we do, and would give a great deal to be back again with their homes and families.

It is just as hard for them to be obliged to fight us, as it is for us to be obliged to fight them." It was late in the afternoon before Andre and Pierre returned.

By the time they did so, the various cavalry patrols had all gone back to Thouars.