"There is something going to happen," said she, in a low tone. Then she added, in a voice that shook with emotion: "Since my boy left home, Yohan has never barked like that." At the same moment rapid steps were heard crossing the court-yard; Louise sprang towards the door, exclaiming, "It is he! it is he!" and almost immediately a trembling hand was at the latch; the door opened, and a soldier appeared at the threshold, but a soldier, so lank, sunburnt, and haggard, his old grey overcoat with pewter buttons so worn out, his long cloth gaiters so torn and discoloured, that all the spectators were speechless with surprise. He seemed unable to take a step farther, as he firmly put the butt-end of his gun to the ground. The tip of his eagle nose--the exact counterpart of Dame Lefévre's--shone like bronze, his red moustaches quivered; he looked just like one of those lean, hungry hawks driven by famine in winter to the stable doors. He looked straight into the kitchen, and his cheeks seemed to turn pale beneath their tinge of sun-brown, and his hollow eyes filled with tears as he stood there without being able to speak a word or advance a step. Out of doors the old dog kept leaping, and whining, and rattling his chain as if he would break it; within, not a sound could be heard but the crackling of the fire, so deep was the silence; but very soon the voice of Catherine Lefévre was heard exclaiming, in heartrending tones:-- "Gaspard!--my child! It is you!" "Yes, mother!" replied the soldier, in a voice choking with emotion. And in a second Louise had begun to sob, whilst all in the vast room rose at once with a noise like thunder. All ran towards him, with Master Jean-Claude at their head, shouting: "Gaspard!--Gaspard Lefévre!" But Gaspard and his mother were clasped in each other's arms: this woman, usually so strong-minded, so courageous, was weeping unrestrainedly; her son shed no tears, but held her close to his heart, his red moustaches buried in her gray locks, as he murmured: "Mother! mother! ah! how often have I thought of you!" Then, in a louder voice: "Louise!" said he, "I saw Louise!" And Louise rushed into his arms, and they mingled their tears and kisses together. "Ah! you did not know me again, Louise!" "Oh! yes--oh! yes, I knew you directly by your step." Old Duchêne, with his cotton night-cap in his hand, stood by the fire stammering: "Gracious Lord--is it possible? my poor child--how changed he is!" He had brought Gaspard up, and always pictured him since his departure fresh and ruddy-cheeked, in a handsome uniform with red facings. It deranged all his ideas to see him otherwise. At this moment Hullin, raising his voice, said: "And we, Gaspard, all of us, your old friends, have you nothing to say to us?" Then the brave fellow turned round, and uttered a shout of recognition: "Hullin! Doctor Lorquin! Materne! Frantz! all! they are all here!"