On reaching the Rougons' door, he could only catch a confused echo of voices.
"What a child I am," said he, "fear makes me stupid." And he was going to descend again, when he heard the approach of his mother, who was about to show somebody out.

He had barely time to hide in a dark corner formed by a little staircase leading to the garrets of the house.

The Rougons' door opened, and the marquis appeared, followed by Felicite.
Monsieur de Carnavant usually left before the gentlemen of the new town did, in order no doubt to avoid having to shake hands with them in the street.
"Eh! little one," he said on the landing, in a low voice, "these men are greater cowards than I should have thought.

With such men France will always be at the mercy of whoever dares to lay his hands upon her!" And he added, with some bitterness, as though speaking to himself: "The monarchy is decidedly becoming too honest for modern times.

Its day is over." "Eugene announced the crisis to his father," replied Felicite.