But the gentlemen, by their silent consternation, made it clear that they had formed their own opinion, and were not to be consoled.
"I can hear the 'Marseillaise' now," remarked Granoux in a hushed voice.
It was indeed true.

A detachment must have been following the course of the Viorne, passing, at that moment, just under the town.

The cry, "To arms, citizens! Form your battalions!" reached the on-lookers in sudden bursts with vibrating distinctness.

Ah! what an awful night it was! The gentlemen spent it leaning over the parapet of the terrace, numbed by the terrible cold, and yet quite unable to tear themselves away from the sight of that plain which resounded with the tocsin and the "Marseillaise," and was all ablaze with signal-fires.

They feasted their eyes upon that sea of light, flecked with blood-red flames; and they strained their ears in order to listen to the confused clamour, till at last their senses began to deceive them, and they saw and heard the most frightful things.