Bear you that in mind if you seek to have a peaceful time while you are here, for it so happens that I am quartered at this inn, and have a more important way with me than this good-natured Deputy here." The fellow darted Charlot a malevolent glance.
"You talk of equality and you outrage equality in a breath," he growled.
"I half suspect you of being a turncoat aristocrat." And he spat ostentatiously on the ground.
"Suspect what you will, but voice no suspicions here, else you'll become acquainted with the mighty short methods of Charlot Tardivet.

And as for aristocrats, my friend, there are none so rabid as the newly-converted.
I wonder how long it is since you became a patriot ?" Before the fellow could make any answer the corporal in command of La Boulaye's escort entered to inform Caron that the men were in the saddle.
At that the Deputy hurriedly took his leave of Tardivet, and wrapping his heavy cloak tightly about him he marched out into the rain, and mounted.
A few moments later they clattered briskly out of Boisvert, the thick grey mud flying from their horses' hoofs as they went, and took the road to France.

For a couple of miles they rode steadily along under the unceasing rain and in the teeth of that bleak February wind.

Then at a cross-road La Boulaye unexpectedly called a halt.
"My friends," he said to his escort, "we have yet a little business to discharge in Belgium before we cross the frontier." With that he announced his intention of going North, and so briskly did he cause them to ride, that by noon--a short three hours after quitting Boisvert--they had covered a distance of twenty-five miles, and brought up their steaming horses before the Hotel de Flandres at Leuze.
At this, the only post-house in the place, La Boulaye made inquiries as to whether any carriage had arrived from Soignies that morning, to receive a negative answer.

This nowise surprised him, for he hardly thought that Mademoiselle could have had time to come so far.