The baroness sat down, or rather, fell into a chair, drawing Michel to his knees before her, and taking his head, which she pressed to her lips. At last the words which she seemed unable to bring out came to her.
"Is it possible that you are here in this place, not a hundred steps away from the château, which is full of soldiers?"
"The nearer I am to them, mother," replied Michel, "the less they'll look for me here."
"But don't you know what has taken place in Nantes?"
"What has taken place there?"
"The military courts have passed sentence after sentence."
"That only signifies to those they catch," said Michel, laughing.
"It signifies to every one," said his mother; "for those who are not taken may be taken at any moment."
"Not when they are hiding in the house of a mayor well-known for his Philippist opinions."
"You are none the less--"