The unforeseen arrival of the insurgents seemed to him a delicate attention of Providence for his own particular benefit.

His hands trembled at the idea that he would soon hold the Rougons by the throat.
He hastily quitted the tavern with his friends.

All the Republicans who had not yet left the town were soon assembled on the Cours Sauvaire.

It was this band that Rougon had perceived as he was hastening to conceal himself in his mother's house.

When the band had reached the top of the Rue de la Banne, Macquart, who had stationed himself at the rear, detained four of his companions, big fellows who were not over-burdened with brains and whom he swayed by his tavern bluster.