An exclamation of anger followed these words; and now I saw the telescope passed to another hand, and to my astonishment, that of a lady. "Was there ever stupidity like that? He saw the map like the others, and yet--Parbleu! it's too bad!" I could perceive that a female voice made some rejoinder, but not distinguish the words; when the man again spoke: "No, no; it's all a blunder of that old major; and here am I without an orderly to send after him. Diable! it _is_ provoking." "Isn't that one of your people at the foot of the tower?" said the lady, as she pointed to where I stood, praying for the earth to open, and close over me; for as he moved his head to look down, I saw the epaulets of a staff officer. "Halloa!" cried he, "are you on duty?" "No, sir; I was--" Not waiting for me to finish an explanation, he went on, "Follow that division of cavalry that has taken the Strasbourg road, and tell Major Roquelard that he has gone wrong; he should have turned off to the left at the suburbs. Lose no time, but away at once. You are mounted, of course?" "No, sir, my horse is at quarters; but I can--" "No, no; it will be too late," he broke in again. "Take my troop horse, and be off. You'll find him in the stable, to your left." Then turning to the lady I heard him say-- "It may save Roquelard from an arrest." I did not wait for more, but hurried off in the direction he had pointed. A short gravel walk brought me in front of a low building, in the cottage style, but which, decorated with emblems of the chase, I guessed to be the stable. Not a groom was to be seen; but the door being unlatched, I entered freely. Four large and handsome horses were feeding at the racks, their glossy coats and long silky manes showing the care bestowed upon them. Which is the trooper? thought I, as I surveyed them all with keen and scrutinizing eye. All my skill in such matters was unable to decide the point; they seemed all alike valuable and handsome--in equally high condition, and exhibiting equal marks of careful treatment. Two were stamped on the haunches with the letters "R.F.;" and these, of course, were cavalry horses. One was a powerful black horse, whose strong quarters and deep chest bespoke great action, while the backward glances of his eye indicated the temper of a "tartar." Making choice of him without an instant's hesitation, I threw on the saddle, adjusted the stirrups to my own length, buckled the bridle, and led him forth. In all my "school experience" I had never seen an animal that pleased me so much; his well-arched neck and slightly-dipped back showed that an Arab cross had mingled with the stronger qualities of the Norman horse. I sprung to my saddle with delight; to be astride such a beast was to kindle up all the enthusiasm of my nature, and as I grasped the reins, and urged him forward, I was half wild with excitement.