The soldier hastened from the room.
"Let us return to the table, messieurs," said Canolles to his guests, most of whom had left their seats. "It will be time enough to leave the table when we hear the cannon."
All the guests resumed their seats with smiling faces. Richon alone, over whose features a cloud had passed, still seemed restless, and kept his eyes fixed upon the door, awaiting the soldier's return. But an officer with drawn sword appeared in his stead.
"Monsieur le Gouverneur," said he, "a flag of truce."
"A flag of truce from whom?"
"From the princes."
"Coming from where?"
"From Bordeaux."
"From Bordeaux!" all the guests save Richon repeated in chorus.
"Oho! so war is really declared, is it," said the old officer, "that they send flags of truce?"