Your communications will be strictly private, and your views will be thus of far more use to me than the official expressions of the marshal and his staff.
"You will, of course, take your servant with you, and I have told off three troopers to accompany you, for the purpose of bringing your reports to me.

There is no probability of a general engagement at present, and until we obtain some idea of Marlborough's plans, no extensive operations will be undertaken." From the manner in which he spoke, Desmond had no doubt that Berwick himself was in favour of taking the initiative without delay, but that he had been overruled.

It was indeed of importance to the French that, before advancing, they should secure possession of the towns of west Flanders, so that the great roads would all be open to them.
Half an hour after leaving the duke, Desmond was in the saddle, and, followed by the four soldiers, rode for Vendome's camp.
According to instructions he halted for the night at Arras, and reached Lille at ten the next morning.

He at once presented himself to the marshal, and handed to him the letter from Berwick, of which he was the bearer.
The duke glanced through it.
"I have been expecting you, Lieutenant Kennedy, and have arranged that you shall mess and ride with the junior officers of my staff.
I will order a tent to be erected for you, at once.

Should any portion of my force move without me, I have arranged that you shall accompany it.