Listen to me.

If you have any compromising papers--" "Papers!" repeated the old gentleman.
"Yes, if you have any, burn them at once," said the mayor.

"I'll go and amuse the police agents." Goulard, whose object was to run with the royalist hare and hold with the republican hounds, left the room; at that moment the dogs barked violently.
"There is no longer time," said the abbe, "here they come! But who is to warn the countess?
Where is she ?" "Catherine didn't come for her hat and whip to make relics of them," remarked Mademoiselle Goujet.
Goulard tried to detain the two agents for a few moments, assuring them of the perfect ignorance of the family at Cinq-Cygne.
"You don't know these people!" said Peyrade, laughing at him.
The two agents, insinuatingly dangerous, entered the house at once, followed by the corporal from Arcis and one gendarme.

The sight of them paralyzed the peaceful card-players, who kept their seats at the table, terrified by such a display of force.

The noise produced by a dozen gendarmes whose horses were stamping on the terrace, was heard without.
"I do not see Mademoiselle de Cinq-Cygne," said Corentin.
"She is probably asleep in her bedroom," said Monsieur d'Hauteserre.
"Come with me, ladies," said Corentin, turning to pass through the ante-chamber and up the staircase, followed by Mademoiselle Goujet and Madame d'Hauteserre.