Each sentence that fell from the retired hosier and the old almond-merchant, who stood on his right and left respectively, fell sweetly on his ears; and, leaning back in the mayor's arm-chair, steeped in the odour of officiality which pervaded the room, he bowed to the right and to the left, like a royal pretender whom a _coup d'etat_ is about to convert into an emperor.
When they were tired of belauding each other, they all three went downstairs.

Granoux started off to call the municipal council together, while Roudier told Rougon to go on in front, saying that he would join him at his house, after giving the necessary orders for guarding the Town Hall.

The dawn was now fast rising, and Pierre proceeded to the Rue de la Banne, tapping his heels in a martial manner on the still deserted pavement.

He carried his hat in his hand in spite of the bitter cold; for puffs of pride sent all his blood to his head.
On reaching his house he found Cassoute at the bottom of the stairs.

The navvy had not stirred, for he had seen nobody enter.