"She too," thought Philippe, "she too will never forgive me, any more than my father or Marthe."
And he resolved to go away at once, now that his mother's affection had given him a little comfort.
He found Victor at the foot of the garden-steps, indulging in lamentations in the midst of the other servants and recommending immediate flight:
"We can pack up the plate, the clocks, the valuables in an hour and be off.... When the enemy arrive, they will find no one here...."
Philippe called him and asked if it was possible to get a carriage at Saint-Élophe:
"Oh, are you going, sir? You are quite right. But not just yet, are you? Presently, I suppose, with Mme. Philippe? I've orders to drive Mme. Philippe to Saint-Élophe. From there, there's the diligence that goes to Noirmont."
"No, I am not going in that direction."
"How do you mean, sir? There's only one line to Paris."
"I sha'n't go straight to Paris. I want to take the train at Langoux."