The General was going to establish himself in it, after having examined on the banks of the Marne, the works of the pontoon builders, who had been constructing several military bridges for the troops.

Don Marcelo's outraged sense of ownership forced him to speak.

He feared that they would break the doors of the locked rooms--he would like to go for the keys in order to give them up to those in charge.

The commissary would not listen to him but continued ignoring his existence.

The lieutenant replied with cutting amiability: "It is not necessary; do not trouble yourself!" After this considerate remark, he started to rejoin his regiment but deemed it prudent before losing sight of Desnoyers to give him a little advice.