This proved to be a great misfortune.
On their way from Cinq-Cygne to fetch the last two hundred thousand francs, the party, emboldened by success, took a more direct way than on their other trips.

The path passed an opening from which the park of Gondreville could be seen.
"What is that ?" cried Laurence, pointing to a column of blue flame.
"A bonfire, I think," replied Michu.
Laurence, who knew all the by-ways of the forest, left the rest of the party and galloped towards the pavilion, Michu's old home.

Though the building was closed and deserted, the iron gates were open, and traces of the recent passage of several horses struck Laurence instantly.

The column of blue smoke was rising from a field in what was called the English park, where, as she supposed, they were burning brush.
"Ah! so you are concerned in it, too, are you, mademoiselle ?" cried Violette, who came out of the park at top speed on his pony, and pulled up to meet Laurence.

"But, of course, it is only a carnival joke?
They surely won't kill him ?" "Who ?" "Your cousins wouldn't put him to death ?" "Death! whose death ?" "The senator's." "You are crazy, Violette!" "Well, what are you doing here, then ?" he demanded.
At the idea of a danger which was threatening her cousins, Laurence turned her horse and galloped back to them, reaching the ground as the last sacks were filled.
"Quick, quick!" she cried.