However, another volley was fired, and Monsieur Peirotte fell face foremost, with a heavy thud, to the ground.
Silvere and Miette were still looking at each other.

Silvere had remained by the corpse, through all the fusillade and the howls of agony, without even turning his head.

He was only conscious of the presence of some men around him, and, from a feeling of modesty, he drew the red banner over Miette's breast.

Then their eyes still continued to gaze at one another.
The conflict, however, was at an end.

The death of the receiver of taxes had satiated the soldiers.