"There! that's finished," said Gretchen, coming in with a clatter of sabots.
"Is the bed made?" asked Madame Teutch.
"Yes, mistress," replied Gretchen.
"And the fire lighted?"
"Yes."
"Then heat the warming-pan and show citizen Charles to his room. I am going to make his porridge."
Citizen Charles was so tired that he followed Gretchen and the warming-pan without a word. Ten minutes after he was in bed Madame Teutch entered his room with the milk porridge in her hand. She forced Charles, who was already half asleep, to drink it, gave him a little tap on each cheek, tucked in the sheets in a maternal fashion, bade him good-night, and went out carrying the light with her.
But the wishes of good Madame Teutch were only granted in part, for at six o'clock in the morning all the guests in the Hôtel de la Lanterne were awakened by the sound of voices and arms; the butt-ends of muskets clashed noisily upon the ground, while hasty steps ran through the corridors and doors were opened and shut with a bang.
The noise awakened Charles and he sat up in bed.