he was obliged to ask for time; so large as
to be a little fortune to Rebecca, who rapidly calculated that with
this sum, and the sale of the residue of Rawdon's effects, and her
pension as a widow should he fall, she would now be absolutely
independent of the world, and might look her weeds steadily in the face.

Once or twice in the day she certainly had herself thought about
flying. But her reason gave her better counsel. "Suppose the French
do come," thought Becky, "what can they do to a poor officer's widow?
Bah! the times of sacks and sieges are over. We shall be let to go
home quietly, or I may live pleasantly abroad with a snug little
income."

Meanwhile Jos and Isidor went off to the stables to inspect the newly
purchased cattle. Jos bade his man saddle the horses at once. He would
ride away that very night, that very hour. And he left the valet busy
in getting the horses ready, and went homewards himself to prepare for
his departure. It must be secret. He would go to his chamber by the
back entrance. He did not care to face Mrs. O'Dowd and Amelia, and own
to them that he was about to run.

By the time Jos's bargain with Rebecca was completed, and his horses
had been visited and examined, it was almost morning once more. But
though midnight was long passed, there was no rest for the city; the
people were up, the lights in the houses flamed, crowds were still
about the doors, and the streets were busy. Rumours of various natures
went still from mouth to mouth: one report averred that the Prussians
had been utterly defeated; another that it was the English who had been
attacked and conquered: a third that the latter had held their ground.
This last rumour gradually got strength. No Frenchmen had made their
appearance. Stragglers had come in from the army bringing reports more
and more favourable: at last an aide-de-camp actually reached Brussels
with despatches for the Commandant of the place, who placarded
presently through the town an official announcement of the success of
the allies at Quatre Bras, and the entire repulse of the French under
Ney after a six hours' battle. The aide-de-camp must have arrived
sometime while Jos and Rebecca were making their bargain together, or
the latter was inspecting his purchase. When he reached his own hotel,
he found a score of its numerous inhabitants on the threshold
discoursing of the news; there was no doubt as to its truth. And he
went up to comm