I could almost have sworn that as he looked at us a flicker of kindliness lit up his stern and cruel gloom; I could almost have sworn he smiled with a curious sadness.

As for Louis, riding with a squad who stood in a different part of the yard, he did not see us; had not yet seen us at all.

His side face, turned towards me, was pale and sad, his manner preoccupied, his mien rather sorrowful than downcast.

He was thinking, I judged, as much of the many brave men who had yesterday been his friends--companions at board and play-table--as of his own fate.

When we presently, at a signal from Bure, took to the road again, I asked no permission, but thrusting my horse forward, rode to his side as he passed through the gateway..