Where is he ?" In the distance a cloud of dust might be perceived above the long, white road.

The soldier espied it as La Boulaye put his question.
"I am much at fault if he does not come yonder." And he pointed to the dust-cloud.
"I think," said La Boulaye, turning to his men, "that we will drink a cup of wine at the 'Eagle Inn.'" Mean though the place was, it was equipped with a stable-yard, to which admittance was gained by a porte-cochere on the right.

Wheeling his horse, La Boulaye, without another word to the soldier he had been questioning, rode through it, followed by his escort.
The hostess, who came forward to receive them, was a tall, bony woman of very swarthy complexion, with beady eyes and teeth prominent as a rat's.
But if ill-favoured, she seemed, at least, well-intentioned, in addition to which the tricolour scarf of office round La Boulaye's waist was a thing that commanded respect and servility, however much it might be the insignia of a Government of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
She bade the ostler care for their horses, and she brought them her best wine, seeking under an assumed geniality to conceal the unrest born of her speculations as to what might happen did Captain Charlot return ere the Deputy departed.
Charlot did return.

Scarce were they seated at their wine when the confused sounds that from the distance had been swelling took more definite shape.

The hostess looked uneasy as La Boulaye rose and went to the door of the inn.