nothing is more probable; for women are very daring, though they are timid—­she was stopped, it is most likely, by that curious inability to move a step farther which we have all experienced.  We saw her pause, clasp her hands in despair (or it might be in token of farewell to her husband), then, instead of returning, seat herself on the road on the edge of the darkness.  It was a relief to all who were looking on to see her there.

In the reaction after that excitement I found myself in face of a great difficulty—­what to do with my men, to keep them from demoralisation.  They were greatly excited; and yet there was nothing to be done for them, for myself, for any of us, but to wait.  To organise the patrol again, under the circumstances, would have been impossible.  Dupin, perhaps, might have tried it with that bourgeois determination which so often carries its point in spite of all higher intelligence; but to me, who have not this commonplace way of looking at things, it was impossible.  The worthy soul did not think in what a difficulty he left us.  That intolerable, good-for-nothing Jacques Richard (whom Dupin protects unwisely, I cannot tell why), and who was already half-seas-over, had drawn several of his comrades with him towards the cabaret, which was always a danger to us.  ’We will drink success to M. le Maire,’ he said, ’mes bons amis!  That can do no one any harm; and as we have spoken up, as we have empowered him to offer handsome terms to Messieurs les Morts——­’

It was intolerable.  Precisely at the moment when our fortune hung in the balance, and when, perhaps, an indiscreet word—­’Arrest that fellow,’ I said.  ’Riou, you are an official; you understand your duty.  Arrest him on the spot, and confine him in the tent out of the way of mischief.  Two of you mount guard over him.  And let a party be told off, of which you will take the command, Louis Bertin, to go at once to La Clairiere and beg the Reverend Mothers of the hospital to favour us with their presence.  It will be well to have those excellent ladies in our front whatever happens; and you may communicate to them the unanimous decision about their chapel.  You, Robert Lemaire, with an escort, will proceed to the campagne of M. Barbou, and put him in possession of the circumstances.  Those of you who have a natural wish to seek a little repose will consider yourselves as discharged from duty and permitted to do so.  Your Maire having confided to me his authority—­not without your consent—­(this I avow I added with some difficulty, for who cared for their assent? but a Republican Government offers a premium to every insincerity), I wait with confidence to see these dispositions carried out.’

This, I am happy to say, produced the best effect.  They obeyed me without hesitation; and, fortunately for me, slumber seized upon the majority.  Had it not been for this, I can scarcely tell how I should have got out of it.  I felt drowsy myself, having been with the patrol the greater part of the night; but to yield to such weakness was, in my position, of course impossible.