I learn it by heart, and hope that ere long I shall be able to make myself understood in it." "You do well--very well," the viscount said.

"If all my young officers were to do the same, instead of spending the evening and half the night in drinking and gambling, things would go on much more smoothly, and there would not be so many blunders in carrying out my orders.

You will greatly add to your usefulness by acquiring a knowledge of the language, and it would certainly enable you to carry out with far less danger such commissions as those you were just speaking of; for you might be asked a question, and if it were replied to by your lackey, suspicions would be at once aroused.

You have ridden along this road before ?" "Several times, sir." "Have you noted the features of the country--I mean from a military point of view ?" "I have nothing else to do as I ride along, sir.

As I go I notice where an ambuscade might be laid, either by ourselves or an enemy, where we might expect to be opposed on our march forward, or where a rear guard might check an enemy were we retiring before him." "Good! the fate of a battle depends in nine cases out of ten upon a knowledge of the ground, and in quickness in utilizing that knowledge.
Our journey today is only taken for that purpose.