"You know well enough. Those rascally Girondins!"
"There is nobody here but the soldiers who arrived yesterday, as you
probably know."
"That's what we intend to find out."
He motioned to one of the men to hold his horse, and dismounted
painfully, giving a grunt of satisfaction when he reached the ground.
He was certainly not accustomed to that sort of exercise. He was
attired in black, with big boots, and feathers in his hat. His round,
white face seemed good-natured at first sight, but the look of his
little sunken eyes was false and cruel.
He entered, followed by two hussars, and went straight towards the
chapel. As soon as he was perceived, there was a great stir; the mass
of soldiers began to move with a noise of swords and guns upon the
stones, and everybody was soon on foot. The officer in charge came
forward and saluted the new-comer, and we understood that this fat man
was an important personage.
A conversation in a low voice took place between them. Standing near
the door, we tried our hardest to hear what was said, but in vain; we
could only guess from the gestures that the agent was interrogating the
captain, and that the latter was replying in the negative. We feared
to see them raise their heads and perceive the half-opened door above.
This little door seemed enormous now, as if everybody must see it.
[Illustration: "A CONVERSATION TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THEM."]
However, it was not so, for the agent, finishing his conversation with
the captain, came up to me, and with that cunning look which boded no
good, he said, "So you are quite sure, citoyenne, that there is nobody
here but these men?"
He pointed to the soldiers, who were about to brush themselves and put
themselves in order. I looked him in the face and replied, "Nobody!"
He put that same question to Madame Badouillet, who bravely made the
same reply. Then it was Madame Maréchal's turn. I thought she was going
to betray us, and I gave her a fierce look. She hesitated a moment;
then, with her eyes on the ground, she stammered, "I do not know--I
have been asleep--I have heard nothing."
"Well, _I_ know more about it than _you_," said the agent. "Some
peasants have assured me that the Girondins came in here, that they
have passed the night here, and that they are here still. Is it true?"
We all were silent.
"Now just think well about it, citoyennes. You know what you are
exposing yourselves to by hiding these traitors?"
It was terrifying to be thus questioned in the midst of men who were
watching us closely, and whose looks seemed to pierce our very souls. I
felt that Madame Maréchal was giving way, that all was lost. Her lips
moved, she was about to speak. I did not give her the time to do so,
and putting a bold face on the matter, I replied:
"Since you doubt us, citoyen, search the place. I will lead you
wherever you like."
He hesitated, thrown off the scent by my effrontery, and I thought he
was going to give up all idea of pursuit, when a voice cried, "It is my
opinion that if any little plot has been contrived, it has been done up
there."
A soldier, doubtless the one who had woke up in the night, pointed with
an evil look to the ledge and the granary door. All eyes were raised,
and my legs trembled under me. I thought of the unfortunate men who
were behind that door, without weapons, without any possible means of
defence, listening to what was said. I cursed myself for having yielded
to their prayer, and having sheltered them. Outside they would have
been in just as great danger, but it would not have been my fault. They
could have fought, run away, anything; but there they were through my
fault! It was horrible, and I thought I should go mad.
After questioning the soldier--oh, I could have killed him, the
wretch!--the agent turned towards me.
"Well, citoyenne, as you propose it, you shall act as our guide. Lead
us to that door up there; it's a granary, I suppose?"