But what horrible luck." The three French officers at the head of the troop burst into a laugh.
"Monsieur," the one who had first spoken said, now in his native tongue, "we are indebted to you, for you have made us laugh, and heaven knows we have had little enough to laugh at today.

But how came you here?
Your cavalry have taken the upper road.

We were drawn up to make a last charge, when we heard them turn off that way; and were, I can tell you, glad enough to get off without more fighting.

We have had enough of it for one day." As the speaker proceeded, Rupert became more and more convinced that he knew the voice; and the fact that the speaker was acquainted with English, the more convinced him that he was right.
"I stopped to get rid of a stone in my horse's hoof," he said.

"If I had only had a fight for it I should not have minded, but not even to have the pleasure of exchanging a pass or two with one of you gentlemen is hard indeed." "It is just as well that you did not," one of the officers said, "for Monsieur le Marquis de Pignerolles is probably the best swordsman in our army." "The Marquis de Pignerolles," Rupert said, courteously; "it would have been a pleasure to have crossed swords with him, but scarcely fair, for he knows already that he is not a match for me." "What!" exclaimed the marquis himself and the two officers, in astonishment.
"You are pleased to joke, sir," the marquis said haughtily.
"Not at all," Rupert said, gravely.