India 2001 books

The peasants were headed by Father Jerome, the priest of St. Laud, and
it was he who first mounted the steps leading up to the front door of
the house. "Thank God," said he, speaking more to himself than to those
around him. "Thank God!" and he stood up against the pedestal of one of
the lions, the heavy wooden crucifix which he had carried in his hand
as he marched, or rather ran, to the succour of his friends at
Durbelliere; and then he took off his cap, and with the sleeve of his
dusty grey coat he wiped the perspiration from off his brow. "And the
Marquis and Mademoiselle are unhurt? Thank God--thank God! we were just
in time, but we had a smart run for it."
Chapeau had already dived into the kitchen through the window, and had
learnt that at any rate the republicans had as yet shed no blood.
"And how did the Marquis bear it, Momont?" said he. "It was enough to
kill the old gentleman."
"'Why, yes," said Momont. "We had to bear a good deal, but we did bear
it manfully and well. We were all led out to be shot, you know.


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