if the village is attacked, or if there is any appearance of danger, I
will come home at once."

"Well, then, go," she said. "But remember, if you are not back in good
season you will see me out there looking for you."

Henriette went with them to the door, where she embraced Maurice
tenderly and gave Jean a warm clasp of the hand.

"I intrust my brother to your care once more. He has told me of your
kindness to him, and I love you for it."

He was too flustered to do more than return the pressure of the small,
firm hand. His first impression returned to him again, and he beheld
Henriette in the light in which she had first appeared to him, with
her bright hair of the hue of ripe golden grain, so alert, so sunny,
so unselfish, that her presence seemed to pervade the air like a
caress.

Once they were outside they found the same gloomy and forbidding Sedan
that had greeted their eyes that morning. Twilight with its shadows
had invaded the narrow streets, sidewalk and carriage-way alike were
filled with a confused, surging throng. Most of the shops were closed,
the houses seemed to be dead or sleeping, while out of doors the crowd
was so dense that men trod on one another. With some little
difficulty, however, they succeeded in reaching the Place de l'Hotel
de Ville, where they encountered M. Delaherche, intent on picking up
the latest news and seeing what was to be seen. He at once came up and
greeted them, apparently delighted to meet Maurice, to whom he said
that he had just returned from accompanying Captain Beaudoin over to