The army of the duchess had now gained the open. The advance was
composed of cavalry, which came along the road with wings on
either side, and with great dash and splendor.
A noisy cheer arose, to be faintly echoed by the oncoming
avalanche of white horses and dazzling blue uniforms.
This was the incident upon which Madame the duchess relied.
With rage and chagrin in his heart, Maurice viewed the scene.
The knell of the Osians had been struck. He gazed forlornly at
the cuirassiers; they at least had come to sell their lives
honestly for their bread. Presently the two armies came together;
all was confusion and cheers. Kronau approached the leader of
the cavalry. . . . Maurice was greatly disturbed. He leaned
toward the prince.
"Your Highness," he whispered, "I am going to make a dash for
the road."
"Yes, yes!" replied the prince, intuitively. "My God, yes! Warn
her to fly, so that she will not be compelled to witness this
cursed woman's triumph. Save her that humiliation. Go, and God
be with you, my friend! We are all dishonored. The Marshal looks
as if he were dying."
The native troopers, in their eagerness to witness the meeting
between Kronau and the former Colonel of the cuirassiers, had
pushed forward.
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