"Well, the first thing to be done is for us to get
a roof over our heads for to-night," said Madame
de Frenard, with decision. "Your uncle is still
in Brussels, unless he has already rejoined the
army. I think we had better go into Liege and
stay at a hotel."
"We can get into Liege," said Paul, rousing
himself from his mood of reflection, "but I'm not
sure about staying there. I think you had better
take your maid and go to Brussels, Aunt Claire.
The rest of the servants ought to go home, I think."
It was curious to see how their positions were
reversed in this emergency. It was Paul who was
in command now, not his aunt.
"Do you think so?" she said. "Why, Paul?"
"Because I am afraid that there will be hard
fighting around Liege. I do not think the town will
be defended for very long; it cannot be. It is
supposed only to check the German advance, to gain
a little time, so that the French and the English,
if they come to our aid, may have time to mass
their troops to the west and the north. I am sure
Uncle Henri would say I was right, and I can
arrange it for you to be sent to Brussels, I am sure."
Madame de Frenard was a little inclined to
smile, in spite of the fire and all the woe it had
brought with it.
"Why, Paul, how can you arrange anything?"
she asked. "Have you, perhaps, suddenly
acquired influence with the army?"
"He certainly has!" interrupted Arthur, his
eyes shining.
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