She hastens downstairs, followed by Olivier and the two women, who wait outside. The street is deserted. The day melts in a soft twilight. Stars already twinkle in the cloudless sky. Light, happy laughter comes from a balcony opposite, the echo of childish merriment, which soon ceases with the closing of a door. The carriage has arrived, an open _char-à-banc_ with four seats. Olivier helps his mother and his _fiancée_ in, then climbs up on the box beside the driver. "To Montmorency! And take the shortest cut!" The carriage rolls away amidst the farewells and good wishes of the widow Beaugrand. However, at the end of the Rue du Rocher it stops suddenly and draws up to the side of the road. Two carts are coming at full gallop, driven by men in red nightcaps. Olivier asks impatiently-- "What is the matter now?" "It's the dead bodies of the condemned, citoyen; they are taking them to the Cemetery des Errancy. Ah! now, the Incorruptible can kill no more!" The two women have heard! Clarisse and Thérèse fall on their knees, their hands clapped, and their eyes lifted in prayer. Olivier bares his head. The carts are passing. Clarisse and Thérèse make the sign of the cross. Olivier, pale with emotion, follows their example, turning towards Thérèse and his mother, whose eyes dwell with strange emotion on his face. Her tear-dimmed gaze is full of mute thanksgiving, the secret of which Olivier will never know.