As a boy dreams of magnificent deeds of prowess, so he dreamed of deeds of violence and cruelty.

In his life he had been secret, not vicious; he had enjoyed the power which comes from holding the secrets of others, and that had given him pleasure enough.

But now, as if the true passion, the vital principle, asserted itself at the very last, so with the shadow of death behind him, his real nature was dominant.

He was entirely sane, entirely natural, only malicious.
The night wore on, and lifted higher into the sky, and the grey dawn crept slowly up: first a glimmer, then a neutral glow, then a sort of darkness again, and presently the candid beginning of day.
As they neared the Parish of Bonaventure, Lavilette looked back again, and saw the little black notary a few hundred yards behind.
He recognised him this time, waved a hand, and then called to his own fagged horse.

Shangois's mare was not fagged; her heart and body were like steel.
Not a quarter of a mile behind them both were three of the twenty artillerymen.