Count Hannibal

Chapter 32

THE ORDEAL BY STEEL.

The women for the most part fell like sacks and slept where they

alighted, dead weary. The men, when they had cared for the horses,

followed the example; for Badelon would suffer no fire. In less than

half an hour, a sentry who stood on guard at the edge of the wood, and

Tignonville and La Tribe, who talked in low voices with their backs

against a tree, were the only persons who remained awake, with the

exception of the Countess. Carlat had made a couch for her, and screened

it with cloaks from the wind and the eye; for the moon had risen and

where the trees stood sparsest its light flooded the soil with pools of

white. But Madame had not yet retired to her bed. The two men, whose

voices reached her, saw her from time to time moving restlessly to and

fro be