Part II Summary

Part II consists of Chapters 4 through 9. In Chapter 4, the British forces are realigned. Many desertions thin the ranks, while most soldiers—enlisted for life—and shipped away to various overseas garrison stations. Sharpe, Frederickson, and Harper are ordered back to England where they expect to be folded into new units. As they travel to the debarkation port of Bordeaux Sharpe receives a letter from his financial agent, informing him that Jane, acting with her power of attorney, has withdrawn his entire account—some eighteen thousand guineas, a staggering sum. He wonders what Jane is about and speculates she has found some better investment opportunity. Harper speculates on methods to get out of the army. The scene in Bordeaux is chaotic, and the mingling of maimed French soldiers, widows, orphans, and cast-off army-wives is appalling. Just as Sharpe's group...