We spent the evening fraternising with the Parisians.
We each of us received a medal in commemoration of the occasion.
At five o’clock in the morning, the drum beat the recall. We formed ranks, and set out for the Barrier Pantin. Meaux was fixed upon as our first halting-place.
Four days after our departure from Paris, we arrived at Menehould about three hours after mid-day. We had, on an average, marched about twelve leagues a day.
M. Drouet wished me to dine with him, but I knew that my uncle would be uneasy if I returned not with the others; and, somehow or other, I had a presentiment that I must hasten, if I wished to see him alive.
I was a quick walker. I ran down the slope of the mountain, and traversed the village at a quick trot.
On passing the priest’s house, I saw Mademoiselle Marguerite in the doorway. When she saw me, she came forward.
I feared what she was going to ask; so I at once said, “M. le Curé is in capital health, and will be here in an hour. What news of my uncle?”
“Good, my dear Réné—good; but you have mentioned to him your arrival?”