the manner of an athlete about to attempt a feat of weight-lifting.
"Yes, we were present," said Fritz Kober, with evident delight; "I saw the council, and Charles Henry heard them."
The king stood up. "You speak too loud!" he said; "you will waken these two gentlemen, who are sleeping so well. We will go outside, and you can continue your report."
He crossed the room noiselessly, and left the hut. Then seating himself before the door, on a small bench, he told the two grenadiers to give him an exact account of what they had seen and heard.
Long after they had finished speaking, the king sat silent, and apparently lost in thought. His eyes raised to heaven, he seemed to be in holy communion with the Almighty. As his eyes slowly sank, his glance fell upon the two grenadiers who stood before him, silently respectful.
"I am pleased with you, children, and this time the promise shall be kept. You shall become subordinate officers."
"In the same company?" asked Fritz Kober.
"In the same company. That is," continued the king, "if I am ever able to form companies and regiments again."
"We are not so badly off as your majesty thinks," said Fritz Kober. "Our troops have already recovered from their first terror, and as we returned we saw numbers of them entering the village. In a few hours the army can be reorganized."