CHAPTER X.THE FAMILY OF ROLAND.
The carriage which had stopped before the gate was that which brought Roland back to his family, accompanied by Sir John.
The family was so far from expecting him that, as we have said, all the lights in the house were extinguished, all the windows in darkness, even Amelie's.

The postilion had cracked his whip smartly for the last five hundred yards, but the noise was insufficient to rouse these country people from their first sleep.

When the carriage had stopped, Roland opened the door, sprang out without touching the steps, and tugged at the bell-handle.

Five minutes elapsed, and, after each peal, Roland turned to the carriage, saying: "Don't be impatient, Sir John." At last a window opened and a childish but firm voice cried out: "Who is ringing that way ?" "Ah, is that you, little Edouard ?" said Roland.

"Make haste and let us in." The child leaped back with a shout of delight and disappeared.