“And what of Bazaine?” asked Rochas.

“Bazaine? they say that he is mightily well pleased that the Emperor lets him alone.”

But the Lieutenant wanted to know if Bazaine was coming to join them, whereon Prosper made a gesture expressive of uncertainty; what did any one know?  Ever since the 16th their time had been spent in marching and countermarching in the rain, out on reconnoissance and grand-guard duty, and they had not seen a sign of an enemy.  Now they were part of the army of Chalons.  His regiment, together with two regiments of chasseurs de France and one of hussars, formed one of the divisions of the cavalry of reserve, the first division, commanded by General Margueritte, of whom he spoke with most enthusiastic warmth.

“Ah, the bougre! the enemy will catch a Tartar in him!  But what’s the good talking? the only use they can find for us is to send us pottering about in the mud.”

There was silence for a moment, then Maurice gave some brief news of Remilly and uncle Fouchard, and Prosper expressed his regret that he could not go and shake hands with Honore, the quartermaster-sergeant, whose battery was stationed more than a league away, on the other side of the Laon road.  But the chasseur pricked up his ears at hearing the whinnying of a horse and rose and went out to make sure that Poulet was not in want of anything.  It was the hour sacred to coffee and pousse-cafe, and it was not long before the little hostelry was full to overflowing with officers and men of every arm of the service.  There was not a vacant table, and the bright uniforms shone resplendent against the green background of leaves checkered with spots of sunshine.  Major Bouroche had just come in and taken a seat beside Rochas, when Jean presented himself with an order.

“Lieutenant, the captain desires me to say that he wishes to see you at three o’clock on company business.”

Rochas signified by a nod of the head that he had heard, and Jean did not go away at once, but stood smiling at Maurice, who was lighting a cigarette.  Ever since the occurrence in the railway car there had been a sort of tacit truce between the two men; they seemed to be reciprocally studying each other, with an increasing interest and attraction.  But just then Prosper came back, a little out of temper.

“I mean to have something to eat unless my officer comes out of that shanty pretty quick.  The Emperor is just as likely as not to stay away until dark, confound it all.”

“Tell me,” said Maurice, his curiosity again getting the better of him, “isn’t it possible that the news you are bringing may be from Bazaine?”

“Perhaps so.  There was a good deal of talk about him down there at Monthois.”

At that moment there was a stir outside in the street, and Jean, who was standing by one of the doors of the arbor, turned and said: 

“The Emperor!”

Immediately everyone was on his feet.  Along the broad, white road, with its rows of poplars on either side, came a troop of cent-gardes, spick and span in their brilliant uniforms, their cuirasses blazing in the sunlight, and immediately behind them rode the Emperor, accompanied by his staff, in a wide open space, followed by a second troop of cent-gardes.