After sitting some time in silence, the marquis changed the subject suddenly.
"I am afraid you will not be exchanged before next winter, Rupert.
There are, no doubt, plenty of prisoners in Marlborough's hands, but the campaign is sure to be a stirring and rapid one after this defeat.

He will strike heavy blows, and we shall be doing our best to avoid them.

It will not be until the fighting is over that the negotiations for the exchange of prisoners will begin." The next morning the Marquis de Pignerolles went off early to the headquarters of the commandant; and Rupert remained chatting with the family of his host.

Two hours later he returned.
"Things are worse than I even feared," he said; "the royal guards are almost destroyed, and the destruction wrought in all our noble families is terrible.

It is impossible to estimate our total loss at present, but it is put down at 20,000, including prisoners.