In any event, he felt bold enough to talk to her a little, and she responded, a beautiful color coming into her face.
"Dinner is ready for our guest and you," said Madame Lannes, and she led the way into another apartment, also with long, low windows, where the table was set.

The curtains were drawn from the windows, and John caught through one of them a glimpse of the Seine, of marching troops in long blue coats and red trousers, and of the great city, massing up beyond like a wall.
He felt that he had never before sat down to so strange a table.

The world without was shaking beneath the tread of the mightiest of all wars, but within this room was peace and quiet.

Madame was like a Roman matron, and the young Julie, though shy, had ample dignity.

John liked Lannes' manner toward them both, his fine subordination to his mother and his protective air toward his sister.