text:  But just as I came opposite the iron gates he hailed me by name--more familiarly and courteously than he was wont--to ask whether I came from the village and for _whose_ death they were tolling? If worlds had depended on my answer I could not have uttered a word! But I conclude that catching sight of my troubled face and swollen eyelids the General supposed I had lost some near and dear friend; for instead of renewing his question he merely touched his hat and passed on leaving me to proceed in my turn