"Here comes Mege.

It won't be long now before the sitting begins." The hall, down below, was gradually filling.

Deputies entered and descended the narrow passages between the benches.

Most of them remained standing and chatting in a more or less excited way; but some seated themselves and raised their grey, weary faces to the glazed roof.

It was a cloudy afternoon, and rain was doubtless threatening, for the light became quite livid.