Ralph waited until there was a perfect silence, and then turning to Mrs Nickleby, but directing an eager glance at Kate, as if more anxious to watch his effect upon her, said:

"Reinforcements?" said Napoleon in a tone of stern surprise, looking at the adjutanta handsome lad with long black curls arranged like Murat`s ownas though he did not understand his words.

"Because I know it will end in nothing...."