look forward even more eagerly than I did before for d'Harcourt's
return. Will you come back with us tomorrow from Chivasso?"

"That will depend upon circumstances. I think it is more probable
that I shall not return to Susa for a few days; my orders are to
report myself to the governor."

No bodies of the enemy's cavalry were met with on the way, and at
four o'clock in the afternoon they rode into Chivasso. They alighted
at the commandant's, and on stating that he was the bearer of a
despatch from the general Hector was at once shown in. As he had
more than once ridden there with despatches from Turenne, he was
known to the officer.

"We heard of the victory three days since," the latter said,
as Hector handed him the despatch, "and fired a salvo of guns in
honour of it. An Italian deserter from the other side brought the
news. The two generals were unwounded, I hope?"

"Yes, colonel, and our losses were altogether slight."

The commandant opened the despatch. He looked a little surprised
at its contents. "So you are going to endeavour to pass a message
into the citadel. It is a difficult undertaking. The enemy's watch
is a very vigilant one. Once or twice during the siege men have
succeeded in swimming the Po and evading the enemy's guards, but
of late these have been doubled, for it is thought that the garrison
may attempt to break out. On the town side the firing has all but
ceased; they know that the store of provisions is almost exhausted,
and regard it as a waste of powder and shot to continue their