On a sudden the sound of footsteps approaching from the house seemed to arouse him.

Once more he looked out into the road, as if he expected still to see the carriage of the newly-married couple.

"Poor girl! ah, poor girl!" said Monsieur Lomaque softly to himself, turning round to ascertain who was coming from the house.
It was only the postman with a letter in his hand, and the post-bag crumpled up under his arm.
"Any fresh news from Paris, friend ?" asked Lomaque.
"Very bad, monsieur," answered the postman.

"Camille Desmoulins has appealed to the people in the Palais Royal; there are fears of a riot." "Only a riot!" repeated Lomaque, sarcastically.

"Oh, what a brave Government not to be afraid of anything worse! Any letters ?" he added, hastily dropping the subject.
"None _to_ the house," said the postman, "only one _from_ it, given me by Monsieur Trudaine.