Then he dropped into his armchair weak with emotion. When the peasant explained that this sickness commenced with a feeling as if ants were running up and down in his legs, the doctor exclaimed: "Hold your peace. I have spent too much time with you stupid people. The Republic is proclaimed! The Emperor is a prisoner! France is saved! Long live the Republic!" And, running to the door, he bellowed: "Celeste! Quick! Celeste!" The frightened maid hastened in. He stuttered, so rapidly did he try to speak: "My boots, my saber--my cartridge box--and--the Spanish dagger, which is on my night table. Hurry now!" The obstinate peasant, taking advantage of the moment's silence, began again: "This seemed like some cysts that hurt me when I walked." The exasperated physician shouted: "Hold your peace! For Heaven's sake! If you had washed your feet oftener, it would not have happened." Then, seizing him by the neck, he hissed in his face: "Can you not comprehend that we are living in a Republic, stupid?" But professional sentiment calmed him suddenly, and he let the astonished old couple out of the house, repeating all the time: "Return to-morrow, return to-morrow, my friends; I have no more time to-day." While equipping himself from head to foot, he gave another series of urgent orders to the maid: "Run to Lieutenant Picard's and to Sub-lieutenant Pommel's and say to them that I want them here immediately. Send Torcheboeuf to me, too, with his drum. Quick, now! Quick!" And when Celeste was gone, he collected his thoughts and prepared to surmount the difficulties of the situation. The three men arrived together. They were in their working clothes. The Commander, who had expected to see them in uniform, had a fit of surprise. "You know nothing, then? The Emperor has been taken prisoner. A Republic is proclaimed. My position is delicate, not to say perilous." He reflected for some minutes before the astonished faces of his subordinates and then continued: "It is necessary to act, not to hesitate. Minutes now are worth hours at other times. Everything depends upon promptness of decision. You, Picard, go and find the curate and get him to ring the bell to bring the people together, while I get ahead of them. You, Torcheboeuf, beat the call to assemble the militia in arms, in the square, from even as far as the hamlets of Gerisaie and Salmare. You, Pommell put on your uniform at once, that is, the jacket and cap. We, together, are going to take possession of the mairie and summon M. de Varnetot to transfer his authority to me. Do you understand?" "Yes." "Act, then, and promptly. I will accompany you to your house, Pommel, since we are to work together."