Neither spoke until they reached the front door, which the giant, Picard, opened for them.
"If the worst should happen, Antoine," said Lannes, "and you must be the judge of it when it comes, take them to Lyons, to our cousins the Menards." "I answer with my life," said the man, shutting together his great teeth, and John felt that it was well for the two women to have such a guardian.

Under impulse, he said: "I should like to shake the hand of a man who is worth two of most men." Whether the French often shake hands or not, his fingers were enclosed in the mighty grasp of Picard, and he knew that he had a friend for life.

When they went out Lannes would not look back and was silent for a long time.

The day was warm and beautiful, and the stream of fugitives, the sad procession, was still flowing from the city.

Troops too were moving, and it seemed to John that they passed in heavier masses than on the day before.
"I went out last night while you slept," said Lannes, when they were nearly at the hangar, "and I will tell you that I bear a message to one of our most important generals.