ll for days, until at length the
grey sky seemed exhausted; for the flakes sailed downwards in twos and
threes like the stragglers of an army bringing up the rear. Then the sun
broke through again, and all the world was a dazzling white.

There had been a cessation in that stream of pitiable men who staggered
across the bridge from the Konigsberg road. Some instinct had turned
it southwards. Now it began again, and the rumour spread throughout
the city that Rapp was coming. At length, in the middle of December, an
officer brought word that Rapp with his staff would arrive next day.

Desiree heard the news without comment.

"You do not believe it?" asked Mathilde, who had come in with shining
eyes and a pale face.

"Oh yes, I believe it."

"Then you forget," persisted Mathilde, "that Charles is on the staff.
They may arrive to-night."

While they were speaking Sebastian came in. He looked quickly from one
to the other.

"You have heard the news?" he asked.

"That the General is coming back?" said Mathilde.

"No; not that. Though it is true. Macdonald is in full retreat on
Dantzig. The Prussians have abandoned him--at last."

He gave a queer laugh and stood looking towards the window with restless
eyes that flitted from one object to another, as if he were endeavouring
to follow in mind the quick course of events. Then he remembered Desiree
and turned towards her.

"Rapp returns to-morrow," he said. "We may presume that Charles is with
him."

"Yes," said Desiree, in a lifeless voice.

Sebastian wrinkled his eyes and gave an apologetic laugh.

"We cannot offer him a fitting welcome," he said, with a gesture of
frustrated hospitality. "We must do what we can. You and he may, of
course, consider this your home as long as it pleases you to remain with
us. Mathilde, you will see that we have such delicacies in the house
as Dantzig can now afford--and you, Desiree, will of course make such
preparations as are necessary. It is well to remember, he may return...
to-night."

Desiree went towards the door while Mathilde laid aside the delicate
needlework which seemed to absorb her mind and employ her fingers from
morning till night. She made a movement as if to accompany her sister,
but Desiree shook her head sharply and Mathilde remained where she was,
leaving Desiree to go upstairs alone.

The day was already drawing to its long twilight, and at four o'clock
the night came. Sebastian went out as usual, though