Further discussion of Franz's plan was interrupted by the return of John Lebrenn. As soon as he entered the room, Victoria divined, by the expression he wore, the ill success of his mission.
"Alas! Monsieur Desmarais has refused you the hand of his daughter?"
"It is true," replied John. "Charlotte made a solemn declaration, before her assembled family, that she would never have another husband but me. That is the sole favorable result of my errand."
"Son, listen, what noise is that!" suddenly exclaimed Madam Lebrenn, turning her head toward the stairway. "There seems to be a gathering in our yard."
With a crash the chamber door was flung open, and their neighbor Jerome, who lodged on the same story, entered, pale, fearsome, and crying in a voice of alarm:
"You are lost—they're coming up—there they are—they want to kill you!"
Then arose from the staircase the noise of tumultuous steps, mingled with cries of,
"Long live the Nation!"
"Death to the traitors!"
"To the lamp-post with the aristocrats!"