Barabant obeyed. Dossonville, turning his back, snatched a paper from his redingote, rolled it into a ball, and tossed it into the gutter.
He looked a moment at the astonished girl, then shrugging his shoulders, he committed himself to her mercy with a wave of his hand. Already from below came the rush of feet. With a sudden inspiration, Dossonville divested himself of his pistols and sword, laying them conspicuously on the bed. Then retreating as far away as the room permitted, he seated himself and folded his arms, facing the horrified girl with a calm smile, as though to say:
"Dispose of my life!"
Nicole, struggling between her patriotism and her womanly instincts, heard Barabant calling from the landing:
"Who is there?"
"Javogues."
"What do you seek?"
The next moment half a dozen Marseillais stormed into the room, while Javogues, at the head, shouted:
"When he moves to escape, shoot him down!"