"Oh! what is the matter?" asked Aurélie, appearing at the door, her color heightened with impatience and uneasiness.
"As you see, dear friend, a riot has occurred which deprives me of the pleasure of supping with you. I have come to tell you of it myself, so that you may not doubt my regret."
"Ah! how unfortunate!" exclaimed Aurélie. "Such a lovely supper."
"And such a sweet companion," added Barras, trying to bring forth a melancholy sigh. "But my duty as a statesman before all."
"To the Convention!" howled the mob.
"Au revoir, sweet friend; as you see, I have not a moment to lose if I am to get there before them." And faithful to his duty, as he said, the future director stopped only long enough to reward Suzette's fidelity by thrusting a handful of assignats in her hand, and then rushed down the stairs.
Suzette shut the door behind him, and as she was bolting and locking it, her mistress called out: "What are you doing?"
"As you see, madame, I am fastening the door."
"And Coster, you wretched girl?"
"Look behind you, madame," said Suzette.