Michu stood motionless, his elbow on his gun, his chin on his hand, lost in deep reverie.

Such a moment in a man's life makes him willing to accept the saddest moments of a painful past.
Marthe, agitated by the same thoughts as those of her husband, was also troubled in heart by the danger of the Simeuse brothers; for she now understood all, even the faces of the two Parisians, though she still could not explain to herself her husband's gun.

She darted forward like a doe, and soon reached the road to the chateau.

There she was surprised by the steps of a man following behind her; she turned, with a cry, and her husband's large hand closed her mouth.
"From the hill up there I saw the silver lace of the gendarmes' hats.
Go in by the breach in the moat between Mademoiselle's tower and the stables.

The dogs won't bark at you.