ippe in the dusk of the
passage. She did not make a movement nor give a start; and she closed
the door upon him as though he had not been there.

"She too," thought Philippe, "she too will never forgive me, any more
than my father or Marthe."

And he resolved to go away at once, now that his mother's affection had
given him a little comfort.

He found Victor at the foot of the garden-steps, indulging in
lamentations in the midst of the other servants and recommending
immediate flight:

"We can pack up the plate, the clocks, the valuables in an hour and be
off.... When the enemy arrive, they will find no one here...."

Philippe called him and asked if it was possible to get a carriage at
Saint-Elophe:

"Oh, are you going, sir? You are quite right. But not just yet, are you?
Presently, I suppose, with Mme. Philippe? I've orders to drive Mme.
Philippe to Saint-Elophe. From there, there's the diligence that goes to
Noirmont."

"No, I am not going in that direction."

"How do you mean, sir? There's only one line to Paris."

"I sha'n't go straight to Paris. I want to take the train at Langoux."

"The new line to Switzerland? But that's an endless journey, sir! It
goes all the way down to Belfort."

"Yes, that's it. How far is it from Saint-Elophe to Langoux?"

"Three miles and a bit."

"In that case, I shall walk," said Philippe. "Thank you."

He was in a hurry to leave the Old Mill, for he felt that events were
hastening to a crisis and that, at any moment, he might be prevented
from carrying out his plan.

As a matter of fact, when he turned back, he was passed by Henriot, the
gardener's son, who was clapping his hands:

"There they are! The soldiers of the manoeuvring company!... They are
going to the Col du Diable, at the quick step. We shall see them from
the terrace."

He was followed by the other servants, by his mother, by his little
brother, who, like himself, was waving his hands; and they all crossed
the drawing-room.

Philippe went to the edge of the terrace. The troops were already
debouching in good order. They were young soldiers, beardless boys for
the most part, and looked almost like children amusing themselves by
marching in file. But he saw an unaccustomed expression of anxiety and
doubt on their faces. They marched in silence, hanging their heads and
as though bent by the fatigue of the recent manoeuvres.

A word of command sounded in the rear and was repeated in a sharp voice
by