The Opposite House: A Novel — page 198: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Lhe Opposite House. 192 J doesn’t say much usually, but to-day—” He glanced with a significant gesture at his superior officer, who, accompanied by the surgeon, had gone to the returned hussars to examine their various wounds. ‘““So the bomb will burst to-morrow!” a first lieu- tenant called across the fire. ‘Well, any battle in the open field will be more welcome than this con- founded work in the woods, where the utmost that can be expected is to get a murderous bit of lead in the ribs. So you encountered the band in the woods and sharpened your swords on one another’s bones in the true barbarous fashion of ancient times. How strong were they ?” “Probably twice our number,” replied Gerrald, shrugging his shoulders. Haldern gravely interrupted. “T had confidently expected that you would re- main at headquarters until to-morrow. To make such an expedition twice in one night augurs more than contempt of death, and I am also perfectly sure that you returned to us by your own wish.” Gerrald gazed gloomily into vacancy. “The order to march had to be brought to-night, for we are to join the infantry in E—— at eight o'clock to-morrow morning, and, consequently, we must leave here at five at the latest. The general wished to send a party of dragoons; but what was Conmnicloee® S C@ 5}