They feared to be left alone in the chateau all day, in the disturbed state of the country, and it was easier, perhaps, to reach Paris from Nogent by way of the Seine than by going direct from Sezanne.

Marteau had approved of their decision.
The parting between the young people had been as formal as possible.
The Englishman, on the contrary, with true British hospitality, had said that if peace ever came he would indeed be glad to welcome him at his home in England.

Marteau had sworn to hold the chateau and its land in trust for the Countess, although she protested she would not hear of anything of the kind.

And then he had bade her farewell.

He had arrived in time to take part in the hard fighting at the close of the day, and had been busy during the early part of the night in carrying messages and resuming his duties at headquarters.
At two o'clock in the morning Napoleon threw himself down on a peasant's bed in a hut and slept until four.