“Yes, yes,” hummed the magistrate, who appeared so absent-minded that the Colonel looked at him in amazement.
“You take all this very calmly!” said Vallenot.
“What is the use of getting excited? It never serves any useful purpose.”
“Then you have not lost all hope?”
“Why should I?”
“The deuce!”
“Ah! my friend, success often comes at the very time you think everything is lost.”
“You magistrates are very lucky; it is not so in the Army. When you expect Grouchy it is always Blucher who comes!”
“Well, we shall see.”
“What do you intend to do?”