“I do not wish you to see it in that light,” he said with a smile.  “At best it is but an arrangement for our mutual advantage, and I, on my part, thank you and mademoiselle most heartily for falling in with my wishes.”

CHAPTER XV:  THE BATTLE OF MARIENTHAL

The decision had scarcely been made when one of the lieutenants ran in.  “Captain Mieville requests me to state that sounds have been heard in the forest, and that he believes there is a large body of men approaching.”

“Then, ladies, I must beg you to mount the stairs to the turret at once.  I will place six men on guard there.  The main body I must keep in front of the chateau, as that affords a protection to our rear.  Do not be alarmed.  I do not think the place is likely to be attacked; but should it be, the six men could hold it for any time.  As soon as I have beaten the main body I will at once attack those who may be assailing the turret, though I hardly think that they will do so, for they know that there is nothing to be obtained that would in any way repay them for the loss that they would suffer.  They are marching here for the purpose of attacking us.”

He called to the two sentries.

“See the ladies up the stairs to the turret, and take up your post on the lower stairs.  Four more men shall join you at once.”

He found that Mieville had already got all the men under arms, and had ranged them between the bivouac fires and the still glowing chateau.

“Move your men along farther, Mieville.  Let your left flank rest on the angle of the old castle, then we shall not be made anxious by another attack on the turret.  Let the right flank rest upon the chateau where the old castle joins it.  We shall then be in darkness, while the assailants, if they come from that side, will have to cross the ground lit up by the glow from the ruins.  Let the centre of the line be some ten yards in front of the building; let the line be two deep.”

As soon as this disposition was made he called down the six men, as they were no longer required to defend the staircase.

“Now, men,” he said when all were formed up, “I need not admonish soldiers who were so firm under the attack of the whole of the Bavarian army of the necessity for steadiness.  I have no doubt that if we are attacked it will be in considerable force; but it will be by half armed peasants, and there probably will not be a gun among them.  But even peasants, when worked up into a state of excitement are not to be despised.  My orders are:  The front rank shall continue firing until they are close at hand, and shall then fix bayonets.  Until this is done the second line are not to fire a shot; but as soon as the front rank are ready to repel the enemy with fixed bayonets, you will begin.  Don’t throw a shot away, but continue loading and firing, as quickly as you can; and unless very