But something, the city's safety, the city's gratitude, the countenance of these men who came to her door blood-stained, dark with smoke, reeling with fatigue--came that they might thank her mother and do her honour--something of this she did grasp as she wept before them.
She had but one thing to ask, to desire; and in a moment it was given her.
"Nor is that all!" The voice that broke in was harsher and blunter than Baudichon's.

"If it be true, as I am told, that a young man of the name of Mercier lives here?
He does, does he?
Ay, he lives, my girl.

He is safe, have no fear.

For the matter of that he has nine lives, and"-- Captain Blandano continued with an oath--"he has had need of all this night, God forgive me for the word! But, as I said, that is not all.

For if there is any one man who has saved Geneva, it is he, the man who let down the portcullis.