account for not acting on the despatches. I shall have to prove
to all the world that I never received them, no matter what the
consequences may be to you. I am sorry; but you see that I cannot
help myself.

LIEUTENANT (goodnaturedly). Oh, don't take it to heart, General:
it's really very good of you. Never mind what happens to me: I
shall scrape through somehow; and we'll beat the Austrians for
you, despatches or no despatches. I hope you won't insist on my
starting off on a wild goose chase after the fellow now. I
haven't a notion where to look for him.

GIUSEPPE (deferentially). You forget, Lieutenant: he has your
horse.

LIEUTENANT (starting). I forgot that. (Resolutely.) I'll go after
him, General: I'll find that horse if it's alive anywhere in
Italy. And I shan't forget the despatches: never fear. Giuseppe:
go and saddle one of those mangy old posthorses of yours, while I
get my cap and sword and things. Quick march. Off with you
(bustling him).

GIUSEPPE. Instantly, Lieutenant, instantly. (He disappears in the
vineyard, where the light is now reddening with the sunset.)

LIEUTENANT (looking about him on his way to the inner door). By
the way, General, did I give you my sword or did I not? Oh, I
remember now. (Fretfully.) It's all that nonsense about putting a
man under arrest: one never knows where to find-- (Talks himself
out of the room.)