Still, he left the dining-room door open; and, weak for want of food, though he had not hitherto noticed it, he ate standing, with his ears on the alert, listening lest his brother should complain or call him.

And the silence seemed to have become yet more complete, the little house sank, as it were, into annihilation, instinct with all the melancholy charm of the past.
At about half-past eight, when Sophie returned from her errand to Montmartre, Guillaume heard her step, light though it was.

And he at once became restless and wanted to know what news she brought.

It was Pierre, however, who enlightened him.

"Don't be anxious.