So much of his holiday was already gone,
however, that he gave up the idea of the lakes; but
Switzerland might still be accomplished, and Strasbourg at any
rate must be in his first point, as it was there that, on
leaving England, he had directed his letters to be sent in the
first instance, and he expected to find them lying awaiting
them.
He did find them, and their contents were such as to drive all
thoughts of his tour out of his head. It was with a wild throb
of excitement and exultation, such as he had never known
before, that, on opening the first that came to hand, one that
had been lying there for nearly a week, he read that the
regiment to which he was attached was under immediate orders
for the Crimea, and that he must return, without loss of time,
to England. Even then, however, he did not forget little
Madelon. He knew that she would be counting on his promised
return, and could not bear the idea of going away without
seeing her again, and wishing her good-bye. He calculated that
he had still half a day to spare, and, notwithstanding his
hurry, resolved to return by Brussels rather than Paris,
choosing those trains that would allow him to spend a couple
of hours in Liege, and pay a visit to the convent.
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