“What is it?” said Henri; “can it be the wind?  No, it is the wind which brings this sound, and I hear the two distinctly.  An army in march, perhaps?  But no; I should hear the sound of voices and of regular marching.  Is it the crackling of a fire?  No, there is no light in the horizon; the heaven seems even to grow darker.”

The noise redoubled and became distinct; it was an incessant growling and rolling, as if thousands of cannon were being dragged over a paved road.  Henri thought of this.  “But no,” said he, “there is no paved road near.”

The noise continued to increase, and Henri put his horse to the gallop and gained an eminence.

“What do I see?” cried he, as he attained the summit.  What he saw his horse had seen before him; for he had only been able to make him advance by furious spurring, and when they arrived at the top of the hill he reared so as nearly to fall backward.  They saw in the horizon an infinite body rolling over the plain, and visibly and rapidly approaching.  The young man looked in wonder at this strange phenomenon, when, looking back to the place he had come from, he saw the plain beginning to be covered with water, and that the little river had overflowed, and was beginning to cover the reeds which a quarter of an hour before had stood up stiffly on its banks.

“Fool that I am,” cried he, “I never thought of it.  The water! the water!  The Flemings have broken their dykes!”

Henri flew to the house, and knocked furiously at the door.

“Open! open!” cried he.

No one replied.

“Open, Remy!” cried he, furious with terror; “it is I, Henri du Bouchage.”

“Oh! you need not name yourself, M. le Comte,” answered Remy from within, “I recognized you long ago; but I warn you, that if you break in the door you will find me behind it, with a pistol in each hand.”

“But you do not understand,” cried Henri; “the water; it is the water!”

“No fables, no pretexts or dishonorable ruses, M. le Comte; I tell you that you will only enter over my body.”

“Then I will pass over it, but I will enter.  In Heaven’s name, in the name of your own safety and your mistress’s, will you open?”—­“No.”

Henri looked round him, and perceived an immense stone.  He raised it and threw it against the door, which flew open.  A ball passed over Henri’s head, but without touching him; he jumped toward Remy, and seizing his other arm, cried, “Do you not see that I have no arms? do not defend yourself against a man who does not attack.  Look! only look!” and he drew him to the window.

“Well,” said he, “do you see now?” and he pointed to the horizon.

“The water!” cried Remy.

“Yes, the water! it invades us; see, at our feet, the river overflows, and in five minutes we shall be surrounded.”

“Madame! madame!” cried Remy.

“Do not frighten her, Remy; get ready the horses at once.”