It was the servant, Marie, who came unceremoniously into the room with the exaggerated calm of one who realises the gravity of the situation and means to master it.
"The town is on fire," she explained, curtly; "they have begun on the Gendarmerie.

Doubtless they have heard that these gentlemen are to be arrested, and it is to give other employment to the gendarmes.

But the cavalry has arrived from Saintes, and I come upstairs to ask Monsieur to come down and help.

It is my husband who is a fool.

Holy Virgin! how many times have I regretted having married such a blockhead as that.