He has hardly finished when the gendarmes make their appearance. Entry of the gendarmes.
At the sight of them the children are terror-stricken, owing to vague recollections.
Marcel’s desolation.
Anxiety on the part of Bouvard and Pécuchet. Do they mean to arrest Victor?
The gendarmes exhibit an order to take them into custody.
It is the conference that brought it on. They are accused of having made attempts on religion, on order, having roused people to revolt, etc.
Sudden arrival of M. and Madame Dumouchel with their baggage; they have come to take sea-baths. Dumouchel is not changed; Madame wears spectacles and composes fables. Their perplexity.
The mayor, knowing that the gendarmes are with Bouvard and Pécuchet, arrives, encouraged by their presence.
Gorju, seeing that authority and public opinion are against them, has thought of profiting by it, and escorts Foureau. Assuming Bouvard to be the richer of the pair, he accuses him of having formerly debauched Mélie.
“I? Never!”