This was the culminating point that Rougon had aimed at, the denouement of his wonderful Odyssey.

A loud hubbub of voices filled the yellow drawing-room.

The visitors were repeating what they had just heard, and every now and then one of them would leave a group to ask the three heroes the exact truth with regard to some contested incident.

The heroes set the matter right with scrupulous minuteness, for they felt that they were speaking for history! At last Rougon and his two lieutenants announced that they were expected at the town-hall.

Respectful silence was then restored, and the company smiled at each other discreetly.