"Besides--you do not expect the town to be taken in an hour from now ?" "No." "In broad daylight ?" Petitot shook his head, "God knows what I expect!" he murmured despondently.
"When the information we have points to a night attack ?" Fabri nodded.

"That is true," he said.
"And the walls are well guarded at night." Fabri nodded again.

"Yes," he said, "it is true.

I think, Messer Petitot," he went on, turning to him, "we are a little over-fearful." The two others were silent, and Blondel eyed them harshly, aware that he had mastered them, yet hating them.

Petitot's appeal to his feelings--which had touched and moved Blondel even while he resented it as something cruel and unfair--had lacked but a little of success.