It was asserted that he had been rescued by his friends, the Reds, and that he was only waiting for nighttime in order to fall upon the inhabitants and set fire to the four corners of the town.

Plassans, closed in and terror-stricken, gnawing at its own vitals within its prison-like walls, no longer knew what to imagine in order to frighten itself.

The Republicans, in the face of Rougon's bold demeanour, felt for a moment distrustful.

As for the new town--the lawyers and retired tradespeople who had denounced the yellow drawing-room on the previous evening--they were so surprised that they dared not again openly attack such a valiant man.

They contented themselves with saying "It was madness to brave victorious insurgents like that, and such useless heroism would bring the greatest misfortunes upon Plassans." Then, at about three o'clock, they organised a deputation.