Let us send to the village to ask if Marseilles is quieter to-day than yesterday.' So we sent off a messenger.
"The news he brought back was favourable; order was completely restored.
I could not quite believe this, and still refused to let my wife return to the town unless I accompanied her.

But in that everyone was against me: my presence would give rise to dangers which without me had no existence.

Where were the miscreants cowardly enough to murder a woman of eighteen who belonged to no-party and had never injured anyone?
As for me, my opinions were well known.

Moreover, my mother-in-law offered to accompany her daughter, and both joined in persuading me that there was no danger.

At last I was forced to consent, but only on one condition.
"'I cannot say,' I observed, 'whether there is any foundation for the reassuring tidings we have heard, but of one thing you may be sure: it is now seven o'clock in the morning, you can get to Marseilles in an hour, pack your trunks in another hour, and return in a third; let us allow one hour more for unforeseen delays.