But he himself, amidst the disquietude which was coming over him, was not quite sure he had not counted upon a despatch of troops; and he did, in fact, consider it strange that not a single soldier had made his appearance.
So he reached home in a very uneasy state of mind.

Felicite, still petulant and full of courage, became quite angry at seeing him upset by such silly trifles.

Over the dessert she comforted him.
"Well, you great simpleton," she said, "so much the better, if the prefect does forget us! We shall save the town by ourselves.

For my part, I should like to see the insurgents return, so that we might receive them with bullets and cover ourselves with glory.

Listen to me, go and have the gates closed, and don't go to bed; bustle about all night; it will all be taken into account later on." Pierre returned to the town-hall in rather more cheerful spirits.