At dusk, as on the previous evening, the panic became yet more chilling.
On returning to the municipal offices Rougon and his inseparable companion, Granoux, recognised that the situation was growing intolerable.

During their absence another member of the Commission had disappeared.

They were only four now, and they felt they were making themselves ridiculous by staying there for hours, looking at each other's pale countenances, and never saying a word.

Moreover, they were terribly afraid of having to spend a second night on the terrace of the Valqueyras mansion.
Rougon gravely declared that as the situation of affairs was unchanged, there was no need for them to continue to remain there _en permanence_.
If anything serious should occur information would be sent to them.

And, by a decision duly taken in council, he deputed to Roudier the carrying on of the administration.