Chapeau and the smith started on their important missions, and the
Chevalier slowly, but manfully, walked back to the chateau. No one
stopped him as he walked through the open gates, and in at the back
door. On getting into the hall, he heard the sound of the Marquis's
voice, as he was praying Santerre to preserve his daughter from Denot,
and then, hurrying into the room, he made use of the little cherry stick
which he carried, in the manner which has been described.
None of the inhabitants of the chateau went to bed that night; indeed,
the beds were all occupied by the troopers, who threw themselves down
to sleep, without taking off their boots, wherever they could find any
convenient place to lie down. To do Santerre justice, he repeatedly
pressed the Marquis to go to his own room, assuring him that he should
not be further disturbed than by the presence of a sentinel; but the old
man insisted on remaining in the salon, and Agatha and the Chevalier sat
with him. Santerre, and Denot, and a cavalry sergeant, remained in the
same room, and a couple of sentinels were stationed on the top of the
steps at the back of the house, and four at the front.
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