Terror paralyzed her.

The man, better prepared for the visit of the phantom, cocked his revolver under the table and took aim at the Colonel, crying "_Vade retro, Satanas!_" The exorcism and the pistol missed fire together.
Meiser was not at all discouraged: he snapped the six barrels one after the other at the demon, who stood watching him do it.

Not one went off.
"What devilish game is that you're playing ?" said the Colonel, seating himself astride a chair.

"People are not in the habit of receiving an honest man's visit with that ceremony!" Meiser flung down his revolver, and grovelled like a beast at Fougas' feet.

His wife, who was not one whit more tranquil, followed him.