But the gentlemen, by their silent consternation, made
it clear that they had formed their own opinion, and were not to be
consoled.
"I can hear the 'Marseillaise' now," remarked Granoux in a hushed voice.
It was indeed true. A detachment must have been following the course of
the Viorne, passing, at that moment, just under the town. The cry, "To
arms, citizens! Form your battalions!" reached the on-lookers in sudden
bursts with vibrating distinctness. Ah! what an awful night it was! The
gentlemen spent it leaning over the parapet of the terrace, numbed by
the terrible cold, and yet quite unable to tear themselves away from
the sight of that plain which resounded with the tocsin and the
"Marseillaise," and was all ablaze with signal-fires. They feasted their
eyes upon that sea of light, flecked with blood-red flames; and they
strained their ears in order to listen to the confused clamour, till at
last their senses began to deceive them, and they saw and heard the most
frightful things. Nothing in the world would have induced them to leave
the spot. If they had turned their backs, they would have fancied that
a whole army was at their heels. After the manner of a certain class
of cowards, they wished to witness the approach of the danger, in order
that they might take flight at the right moment. Towards morning, when
the moon had set and they could see nothing in front of them but a
dark void, they fell into a terrible fright.
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