Meantime, the most acute anxiety agitated the yellow drawing-room.  The commander had sent his servant to obtain some information as to the exact movements of the insurgents, and the others awaited this man’s return, making the most astonishing surmises.  They had a full meeting.  Roudier and Granoux, sinking back in their arm-chairs, exchanged the most pitiable glances, whilst behind them moaned a terror-stricken group of retired tradesmen.  Vuillet, without appearing over scared, reflected upon what precautions he should take to protect his shop and person; he was in doubt whether he should hide himself in his garret or cellar, and inclined towards the latter.  For their part Pierre and the commander walked up and down, exchanging a word ever and anon.  The old oil-dealer clung to this friend Sicardot as if to borrow a little courage from him.  He, who had been awaiting the crisis for such a long time, now endeavoured to keep his countenance, in spite of the emotion which was stifling him.  As for the marquis, more spruce and smiling than usual, he conversed in a corner with Felicite, who seemed very gay.

At last a ring came.  The gentlemen started as if they had heard a gun-shot.  Dead silence reigned in the drawing-room when Felicite went to open the door, towards which their pale, anxious faces were turned.  Then the commander’s servant appeared on the threshold, quite out of breath, and said abruptly to his master:  “Sir, the insurgents will be here in an hour.”

This was a thunderbolt.  They all started up, vociferating, and raising their arms towards the ceiling.  For several minutes it was impossible to hear one’s self speak.  The company surrounded the messenger, overwhelming him with questions.

“Damnation!” the commander at length shouted, “don’t make such a row.  Be calm, or I won’t answer for anything.”

Everyone sank back in his chair again, heaving long-drawn sighs.  They then obtained a few particulars.  The messenger had met the column at Les Tulettes, and had hastened to return.

“There are at least three thousand of them,” said he.  “They are marching in battalions, like soldiers.  I thought I caught sight of some prisoners in their midst.”

“Prisoners!” cried the terrified bourgeois.

“No doubt,” the marquis interrupted in his shrill voice.  “I’ve heard that the insurgents arrest all persons who are known to have conservative leanings.”

This information gave a finishing touch to the consternation of the yellow drawing-room.  A few bourgeois got up and stealthily made for the door, reflecting that they had not too much time before them to gain a place of safety.

The announcement of the arrests made by the Republicans appeared to strike Felicite.  She took the marquis aside and asked him:  “What do these men do with the people they arrest?”

“Why, they carry them off in their train,” Monsieur de Carnavant replied.  “They no doubt consider them excellent hostages.”