‘Oh, how lucky!’ she exclaimed: ‘Madeleine! if you had been ten minutes later you would have been shot. Count, Étienne; count, Madeleine; one, two, three, four, oh how many there are down--killed, poor things! Dear me! I would not have missed the sight for a thousand livres. Étienne, Madeleine, you Klaus! come, look, they will fire again. Glorious! Oh, what fun! Ecstasy! raptures!’ After the second discharge madame drew attention to the man who had been shot through the heart--he with the bottle of leeches. ‘How he leaped! He would have made his fortune on the tight-rope. Oh! what would I not have given to have danced with him. I am certain he was a superb dancer. Did any of you ever in your life see a male cut such a caper? Never; it was magnificent, it was prodigious. More the pity that he is dead. He will never dance again,’ she said, in a low and sad voice; but brightened up instantly again with the remark, ‘Ah well! we must all die sooner or later. Étienne, count the dead, now that the soldiers have cleared the street and square. My faith! what a pity it is that dead men are not made serviceable for the table; and meat is so dear!’ Then suddenly it occurred to the volatile lady that her brother and his little companion had come to take up their abode with her--and meat so dear! She attacked Étienne at once on the point. ‘My dearest brother, whom I love above everyone--yes, whom I adore,--I will not deny it, whom I idolize,--tell me, where are you lodging?’ ‘I thought you could give Gabrielle and me shelter for awhile,’ answered Percenez. ‘I am sure Madeleine will share her bed with Gabrielle, my little ward, and I can litter myself a mattress of straw anywhere.’ ‘And you have not dined yet?’ asked Madame Deschwanden. ‘No; we have not had time to think of dinner.’ ‘But you are hungry?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘And thirsty?’ ‘Very thirsty, I can assure you.’ Madame Deschwanden caught both his hands in hers, and shook them enthusiastically. ‘My own best-beloved brother! I talk of you all day long, do I not, Madeleine? You, too, Klaus, can bear me witness. I am rejoiced to hear that you are hungry and thirsty. And you like thoroughly good dinners?’ ‘Most assuredly, when I can get them.’ ‘And you too?’ she looked at Gabrielle, who whispered an affirmative. ‘And you enjoy a really good bottle of wine?’ ‘Trust me,’ answered Stephen. ‘Then,’ said Madame Deschwanden, hugging her brother to her heart, ‘the best of everything is yours, at the sign of the Boot, two doors off, on the right hand, and table-d’hôte is in half an hour. Terms very moderate.’ ‘But, my sister!’ said the little colporteur, drawing out of her embrace, and regarding her with a sly look, ‘I have come to take up my residence with you.’ ‘And dine at the Boot,’ put in the lady. ‘I can confidently recommend the table there. It is largely patronized by the most discerning palates.’ ‘But, my sister, I am quite resolved to take my meals with you.’