Indeed, in the exciting adventure that had taken place, the raiders had been completely forgot by Marteau and the others.
The conversation in the hall was not animated.

The Countess Laure, womanlike, at last began to ask questions.
"Monsieur Marteau," she asked persuasively, "will you hear reason ?" "I will hear anything, mademoiselle, from you," was the instant reply.
"Think of the unhappy state of France." "I have had reason enough to think of it to-night, mademoiselle.

My father and my sister----" his voice faltered.
"I know," said the girl sympathetically, and, indeed, she was deeply grieved for the misfortunes of the faithful and devoted old man and the young girl she had loved.

She waited a moment and then continued.
"The Emperor is at last facing defeat.

His cause is hopeless." "He yet lives," answered the soldier softly.
"Yes, of course," said the woman.