nlucky moment to ask a favour! The despatches from
Komorn are, it would seem, unsatisfactory. The Tyrol is far from quiet.
Kuffstein, I think that's the name, or some such place, is attacked by a
large force, and likely to fall into their hands from assault.'

'That can scarcely be, sir,' said I, interrupting; 'I know Kuffstein
well I was two years a prisoner there; and, except by famine, the
fortress is inaccessible.'

'What! are you certain of this?' cried he eagerly; 'is there not one
side on which escalade is possible?'

'Quite impracticable on every quarter, believe me, sir. A hundred men of
the line and twenty gunners might hold Kuffstein against the world.'

You hear what he says, Lefebvre,' said Marmont to the officer; 'I think
I might venture to bring him up?' The other shook his head doubtfully,
and said nothing. 'Well, announce me, then,' said the marshal; 'and,
Tiernay, do you throw yourself on one of those sofas there, and wait for
me.'

I did as I was bade, and, partly from the unusual fatigue, and in part
from the warmth of a summer evening, soon fell off into a heavy sleep. I
was suddenly awakened by a voice saying, 'Come along, captain, be quick,
your name has been called twice!' I sprang up and looked about me,
without the very vaguest notion of where I was. 'Where to? Where am I
going?' asked I, in my confusion. 'Follow that gentleman,' was the brief
reply; and so I did, in the same dreamy state that a sleep-walker might
have done. Some confused impression that I was in attendance on General
Marmont was all that I could collect, when I found myself standing in
a great room densely crowded with officers of rank. Though gathered
in groups and knots chatting, there was, from time to time, a sort of
movement in the mass that seemed communicated by some single impulse;
and then all would remain watchful and attentive for some seconds,
their eyes turned in the direction of a large door at the end of the
apartment. At last this was thrown suddenly open, and a number of
persons entered, at whose appearance every tongue was hushed, and the
very slightest gesture subdued. The crowd meanwhile fell back, forming
a species of circle round the room, in front of which this newly entered
group walked. I cannot now remember what struggling efforts I made to
collect my faculties, and think where I was then standing; but if a
thunderbolt had struck the ground before me, it could not have given
me a more terrific sh