"The baroness wanted to get her son to return home with her; but she was told that, if he were allowed to go he could never come back to the army, as his reputation for courage would be settled for ever." "Yes, that would be the case, true enough.

Hev would be thought to have shown the white feather! But, about your movements, Fraulein Madaleine--the baroness is not going to remain here long, is she ?" "No; she spoke this morning about going away.

She said that, as the siege of Metz was raised, and the greater portion of the wounded men would be removed to Germany, along with the prisoners of war, she thought she would go back home--to Darmstadt, that is." "And there you will stop, I suppose ?" asked Fritz.
"Until she has a whim to go somewhere else!" replied Madaleine.
"May I write to you there ?" "I will be glad to hear of your welfare," answered she discreetly, a slight colour mantling to her cheeks.

"Of course, you have been my patient; and, like a good nurse, I should like to know that you were getting on well, without any relapse." "I will write to you, then," said Fritz in those firm, ringing tones of his that clearly intimated he had made a promise which he intended to keep.

"And you, I hope, will answer my letters ?" "When I can," replied the girl; "that is, you know, if the Baroness Stolzenkop does not object." "Bother the Baroness Stolzenkop!" said he energetically, and he stretched out his hand to her with a smile.