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〃An armistice；〃 said Clausewitz。 〃An immediate suspension of hostilities。 The definitive terms can be settled easily enough at leisure。〃
Yorck still hesitated for a moment。 Hornblower； despite his weariness and illness； could study him with a renewed flicker of interest； the hard face； surnburned to mahogany； the white hair and moustache in strange contrast。 Yorck was on the edge of his fate。 At present he was a loyal subject of the King of Prussia； a paratively undistinguished general。 He had only to say two words； and they would make him a traitor now and conceivably an historic figure in the future。 Prussia's defection … at any rate； the defection of the Prussian army … would reveal the hollowness of the Napoleonic Empire in a way nothing else could do。 It rested with Yorck。
〃I agree；〃 said Yorck。
That was all Hornblower wanted to hear。 He could lapse into his dream … his nightmare … now； let the rest of the discussion take whatever course it would。 When Clausewitz turned back down the road Hornblower's horse followed him without any guidance from Hornblower。 Brown appeared； just his face； there was nothing else that Hornblower could see。
〃Are you all right； sir？〃
〃Of course I am；〃 said Hornblower automatically。 The earth that Hornblower found himself treading was soft； as though he were walking on feather beds or on a loosely stretched bit of sailcloth。 It might be better to lie down。 And Hornblower was suddenly conscious that there was something beautiful about music after all。 He had gone all his life thinking that it was only an irritating muddle of noises； but revelation had e to him at last。 It was lovely； ecstatic； this music that he heard； peals and peals of it； great soaring melodies。 He had to raise up his voice to join in with it； to sing and sing and sing。 And then the music ended in a final crashing chord； leaving a silence in which his voice sounded hoarse； like a crow's。 He stopped； feeling rather embarrassed。 It was as well that somebody else was available to take up the song。 The boatman was singing as he pulled at his sculls。
〃Row； row； row you together to Hampton Court …〃
A delightful tenor voice； on account of it Hornblower was ready to excuse the wherryman for such an impertinence as singing while he rowed up the river。
〃Rowing in sunshiny weather …〃
Barbara beside him was laughing deliciously。 The sunshine was beautiful and so were the green lawns on the river banks。 He had to laugh too； laugh and laugh。 And here was little Richard climbing over his knees。 What the devil was Brown doing； staring at him like this？
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