“Hist!” he whispered, the concentrated look of one who listens stamped upon his face. His sharp ears had detected some sound which--perhaps through her preoccupation--she had not noticed. He stepped quickly to the Captain's side, and taking up the lamp by its chain, he leapt into the air like a clown, and came down on his heels with a thud that shook the chamber. Simultaneously he dropped the lamp with a clatter, and sent a shout re-echoing through the house. The girl stared at him with parted lips and the least look of fear in her eyes. Was he gone clean mad of a sudden? But now the sound which had warned him of someone's approach reached her ears as well. There were steps on the stairs, which at that alarming noise were instantly quickened. Yet ere they had reached the top La Boulaye was at the door vociferating wildly. Into the room came the hostess, breathless and grinning with anxiety, and behind her came Guyot, who, startled by the din, had hastened up to inquire into its cause. At sight of the Captain stretched upon the floor there was a scream from Mother Capoulade and an oath from the soldier. “Mon Dieu! what has happened?” she cried, hurrying forward. “Miserable!” exclaimed La Boulaye, with well-feigned anger. “It seems that your wretched hovel is tumbling to pieces, and that men are not safe beneath its roof.” And he indicated the broken plaster and the fallen lamp. “How did it happen, Citoyenne-deputy?” asked Guyot; for all that he drew the only possible inference from what he saw. “Can you not see how it happened?” returned La Boulaye, impatiently. “As for you, wretched woman, you will suffer for it, I promise you. The nation is likely to demand a high price for Captain Charlot's injuries.” “But, bon Dieu, how am I to blame?” wailed the frightened woman. “To blame,” echoed La Boulaye, in a furious voice. “Are you not to blame that you let rooms in a crazy hovel? Let them to emigres as much as you will, but if you let them to good patriots and thereby endanger their lives you must take the consequences. And the consequences in this case are likely to be severe, malheureuse.” He turned now to Guyot, who was kneeling by the Captain, and looking to his hurt. “Here, Guyot,” he commanded sharply, “reconduct the Citoyenne to her coach. I will perhaps see her again later, when the Captain shall have recovered consciousness. You, Citoyenne Capoulade, assist me to carry him to bed.”