ss the Meuse at every cost,
after wasting so many precious hours in incomprehensible delays. It was
too late. Doubtless the marshal, who had stormed so on finding the 7th
corps still at Osches when he supposed it to be at la Besace, had felt
assured that the 5th corps was safe in camp at Mouzon when, lingering
in Beaumont, it had come to grief there. But what could they expect
from troops so poorly officered, demoralized by suspense and incessant
retreat, dying with hunger and fatigue?

Fouchard had finally come and planted himself behind Jean's chair,
watching with astonishment the inroads he was making on the bread and
cheese. In a coldly sarcastic tone he asked:

"Are you beginning to feel better, _hein_?"

The corporal raised his head and replied with the same peasant-like
directness:

"Just beginning, thank you!"

Honore, notwithstanding his hunger, had ceased from eating whenever it
seemed to him that he heard a noise about the house. If he had struggled
long, and finally been false to his oath never to set foot in that house
again, the reason was that he could no longer withstand his craving
desire to see Silvine. The letter that he had received from her at
Rheims lay on his bosom, next his skin, that letter, so tenderly
passionate, in which she told him that she loved him still, that she
should never love anyone save him, despite the cruel past, despite
Goliah and little Charlot, that man's child. He was thinking of naught
save her, was wondering why he had not seen her yet, all the time
watching himself that he might not let his father see his anxiety. At
last his passion became too strong for him, however, and he asked in a
tone as natural as he could command:

"Is not Silvine with you any longer?"

Fouchard gave his son a glance out of the corner of his eye, chuckling
internally.

"Yes, yes."

Then he expectorated and was silent, so that the artillery man had
presently to broach the subject again.

"She has gone to bed, then?"

"No, no."

Finally the old fellow condescended to explain that he, too, had been
taking an outing that morning, had driven over to Raucourt market in his
wagon and taken his little servant with him. He saw no reason, because a
lot of soldiers happened to pass that way, why folks should cease to eat
meat or why a man should not attend to his business, so he had taken a
sheep and a quarter of beef over there, as it was his custom to do every
Tuesday, and had just dispose