He, Monsieur Garon, spoke as from a book or out of a library, but this man as from the Invalides, or, since that is anachronistic, from the lonely rock of St.Helena.A private saying of Napoleon's, a word from his letters and biography, a phrase out of his speeches to his soldiers, sent tears to the avocat's eyes, and for a moment transformed Valmond.
While they talked, the Cure and the young Seigneur listened, and there passed into their minds the same wonder that had perplexed Elise Malboir; so that they were troubled, as was she, each after his own manner and temperament.

Their reasoning, their feelings were different, but they were coming to the point the girl had reached when she cried into the darkness of the night, "Napoleon--Napoleon!" They sat forgetful of the passing of time, the Cure preening with pleasure because of Valmond's remarks upon the Church when quoting the First Napoleon's praise of religion.
Suddenly a carriage came dashing up the hill, with four horses and a postilion.

The avocat was in the house searching for a book.

De la Riviere, seeing the carriage first, got to his feet with instant excitement, and the others turned to look.

As it neared the house, the Cure took off his baretta, and smiled expectantly, a little red spot burning on both cheeks.