“Yes, mother.  John, standing in the lantern of the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, saw through his glasses the flash of sunlight on the lances of their Uhlans.  A shell from one of their great guns could fall in the suburbs of Paris.”

John’s covert glance was now for Madame Lannes.  How would the matron who was cast in the antique mold of Rome take such news?  But she veiled her eyes a little with her long lashes, and he could not catch the expression there.

“I believe it is not generally known in Paris that the enemy is so very near,” said Philip, “and while I have not hesitated to tell you the full truth, mother, I ask you and Julie not to speak of it to others.”

“Of course, Philip, we would add nothing to the general alarm, which is great enough already, and with cause.  But what do you wish us to do?  Shall we remain here, or go while it is yet time to our cousins, the Menards, at Lyons?”

Now it was the mother who, in this question of physical peril, was showing deference to her son, the masculine head of the family.  John liked it.  He remembered an old saying, and he felt it to be true, that they did many things well in France.

Lannes glanced at young Scott before replying.

“Mother,” he said, “the danger is great.  I do not try to conceal it from you.  It was my intention this morning to see you and Julie safe on the Lyons train, but John and I have beheld signs, not military, perhaps, but of the soul, and we are firm in the belief that at the eleventh hour we shall be saved.  The German host will not enter Paris.”

Madame Lannes looked fixedly at John and he felt her gaze resting like a weight upon his face.  But he responded.  His faith had merely grown stronger with the hours.

“I cannot tell why, Madame,” he said, “but I believe as surely as I am sitting here that the enemy will not enter the capital.”

Then she said decisively, “Julie and I remain in our own home in Paris.”

CHAPTER II

THE MESSENGER

There was little more talk.  The dignified quiet of the Lannes family remained unchanged, and John imitated it.  If they could be so calm in the face of overwhelming disaster it should be no effort for him to remain unmoved.  Yet he glanced often, though covertly, at Julie Lannes, admiring her lovely color.

When dinner was over they returned to the room in which Madame Lannes had received them.  The dark had come already, and Suzanne had lighted four tall candles.  There was neither gas nor electricity.

“Mr. Scott will be our guest tonight, mother,” said Lannes, “and tomorrow he and I go together to the army.”

John raised his hand in protest.  It had not been his intention when he came to remain until morning, but Lannes would listen to no objection; nor would his mother.

“Since you fight for our country,” she said, “you must let us give you shelter for at least one night.”