"It will soon be as hot here as in Egypt." Raynal laughed and said all the better.
General Raimbaut now joined the group of officers, and entered at once in the business which had brought him.

Addressing himself to Colonel Dujardin, first he informs that officer he had presented his observations to the commander-in-chief, who had given them the attention they merited.
Colonel Dujardin bowed.
"But," continued General Raimbaut, "they are overruled by imperious circumstances, some of which he did not reveal; they remain in his own breast.

However, on the eve of a general attack, which he cannot postpone, that bastion must be disarmed, otherwise it would be too fatal to all the storming parties.

It is a painful necessity." He added, "Tell Colonel Dujardin I count greatly on the courage and discipline of his brigade, and on his own wise measures." Colonel Dujardin bowed.

Then he whispered in the other's ear, "Both will alike be wasted." The other colonels waved their hats in triumph at the commander-in-chief's decision, and Raynal's face showed he looked on Dujardin as a sort of spoil-sport happily defeated.
"Well, then, gentlemen," said General Raimbaut, "we begin by settling the contingents to be furnished by your several brigades.