occupation of our homes by others—­the forcible expulsion of which we had been the objects.  No one could have been more deeply impressed than myself at the moment of these extraordinary proceedings; but we cannot go on with one monotonous impression, however serious, we other Frenchmen.  Three days is a very long time to dwell in one thought; I myself had become impatient, I do not deny.  To go away, which would have been very natural, and which Agathe proposed, was contrary to my instincts and interests both.  I trust I can obey the logic of circumstances as well as another; but to yield is not easy, and to leave my hotel at Semur—­now the chief residence, alas! of the Bois-Sombres—­probably to the licence of a mob—­for one can never tell at what moment Republican institutions may break down and sink back into the chaos from which they arose—­was impossible.  Nor would I forsake the brave Dupin without the strongest motive; but that the situation was extremely tendu, and a reaction close at hand, was beyond dispute.

I resisted the movement which my excellent friend made to take off and transfer to me his scarf of office.  These things are much thought of among the bourgeoisie. ‘Mon ami,’ I said, ’you cannot tell what use you may have for it; whereas our townsmen know me, and that I am not one to take up an unwarrantable position.’  We then accompanied him to the neighbourhood of the Porte St. Lambert.  It was at that time invisible; we could but judge approximately.  My men were unwilling to approach too near, neither did I myself think it necessary.  We parted, after giving the two envoys an honourable escort, leaving a clear space between us and the darkness.  To see them disappear gave us all a startling sensation.  Up to the last moment I had doubted whether they would obtain admittance.  When they disappeared from our eyes, there came upon all of us an impulse of alarm.  I myself was so far moved by it, that I called out after them in a sudden panic.  For if any catastrophe had happened, how could I ever have forgiven myself, especially as Madame Dupin de la Clairiere, a person entirely comme il faut, and of the most distinguished character, went after her husband, with a touching devotion, following him to the very edge of the darkness?  I do not think, so deeply possessed was he by his mission, that he saw her.  Dupin is very determined in his way; but he is imaginative and thoughtful, and it is very possible that, as he required all his powers to brace him for this enterprise, he made it a principle neither to look to the right hand nor the left.  When we paused, and following after our two representatives, Madame Dupin stepped forth, a thrill ran through us all.  Some would have called to her, for I heard many broken exclamations; but most of us were too much startled to speak.  We thought nothing less than that she was about to risk herself by going after them into the city.  If that was her intention—­and