They had asked permission and it had been accorded them.
Indeed, the staff was scanty.

Young St.Laurent and an orderly, besides the two Englishmen, alone accompanied the old man.

Realizing how critical the situation was, and how important it was that the town should be held, he had left every officer and man upon whom he could count with the cavalry, and with instructions to watch Labedoyere particularly, and check any disloyalty, if possible.

If the Marquis alone could not effect his purpose with the regiment, no staff officer could aid him.

He was a lonely old man and a hard that morning.