As hurried in their movements as if they were already on the battlefield, the guests having been ferried ashore, vaulted into the saddle, or entered their carriages and rode rapidly away, followed by their escorts, in the direction of their respective residences. Richon was the last to take his leave. "Baron," said he, "I did not want to leave you as the others did, as we have known each other longer than you have known any of them. Adieu; give me your hand, and good luck to you!" Canolles gave him his hand. "Richon," said he, looking earnestly into his face, "I know you; you have something on your mind; you do not tell it to me, for it probably is not your secret. However, you are moved,--and when a man of your temperament is moved, it's for no small matter." "Are we not about to part?" said Richon. "Yes, and so were we about to part when we took leave of each other at Biscarros's inn, but you were calm then." Richon smiled sadly. "Baron," said he, "I have a presentiment that we shall never meet again!" Canolles shuddered at the profoundly melancholy inflection in the partisan's ordinarily firm voice. "Ah, well!" said he, "if we do not meet again, Richon, it will be because one of us has died the death of a brave man; and in that case the one who dies will be sure, at all events, of surviving in the heart of a friend! Embrace me, Richon; you wished me good luck; I wish you good courage!" The two men embraced warmly, and for some seconds their noble hearts beat against each other. When they parted, Richon wiped away a tear, the first, perhaps, that ever dimmed his proud glance; then, as if he feared that Canolles might see the tear, he hurried from the room, ashamed, no doubt, to have exhibited such a sign of weakness to a man whose courage was so well known to him. III. The dining-hall was left untenanted, save by Canolles and the officer who announced the flag of truce, and who was still standing beside the door. "What are Monsieur le Gouverneur's orders?" he said, after a brief pause. Canolles, who was deep in thought, started at the voice, raised his head, and shook off his preoccupation. "Where is the flag of truce?" he asked. "In the armory, monsieur." "By whom is he accompanied?" "By two of the Bordeaux militia." "What is he?" "A young man, so far as I can judge; he wears a broad-brimmed hat, and is wrapped in a great cloak." "In what terms did he announce himself?" "As the bearer of letters from Madame la Princesse and the Parliament of Bordeaux." "Request him to wait a moment," said Canolles, "and I will be at his service." The officer left the room to perform his errand, and Canolles was preparing to follow him, when a door opened, and Nanon, pale and trembling, but with an affectionate smile upon her lips, made her appearance. "A flag of truce, my dear," she said, grasping the young man's hand. "What does it mean?"