As she said this, she noticed the same peculiar look in the eyes of the little girl. "Tell me, Blanche, what is the matter?" she asked. "I don't know, godmother, except that I must spend the night with you." "Spend the night with me? Well, that is right. I will take good care of you, my dear. But are you sure of what you say? Who told you so?" "M. Belmont himself." "My father sent you up to me." "Yes, and he said I must remain with you until he and grandfather called for me." "And they are both downstairs?" The child's face put on that strange look again, as she answered: "They were there just now, but--" A great fear fell on the heart of poor Pauline. She knew instinctively that something was amiss. "Come down with me, Blanche," she whispered, taking the child by the hand and leading her, on tip-toe, to the lower rooms. There was silence in the passage. The lights in the parlor were extinguished. The sitting apartment behind was deserted. Her father's cap and great coat were gone from their hooks in the hall. She went to the maid's room and found the girl fast asleep, in consequence of which there was no information to be obtained from that quarter. She went to the front door and looked out upon the street. She could easily distinguish the footprints of men in the snow on the steps, and the trace of a carriole's runners describing a sharp curve from the edge of the sidewalk. "They are gone," she murmured. And folding Blanche in her embrace, she returned to her chamber. "Don't cry, little godmother," said Blanche, throwing her arms around Pauline's neck. "Grandfather told me he would come for me before morning." Just then the muffled tread of soldiers was heard along the street, and low words of command reached the listening ears of Pauline. She understood that something momentous was going on. She closed her shutters tight, drew down the heavy curtains of her windows, mended the fire on the hearth, and crouching there, on low seats, like two frightened doves, she and Blanche awaited the coming of the dawn. XX. THE SPECTRAL ARMY.