Rochas signified by a nod of the head that he had heard, and Jean did
not go away at once, but stood smiling at Maurice, who was lighting a
cigarette. Ever since the occurrence in the railway car there had been
a sort of tacit truce between the two men; they seemed to be
reciprocally studying each other, with an increasing interest and
attraction. But just then Prosper came back, a little out of temper.

"I mean to have something to eat unless my officer comes out of that
shanty pretty quick. The Emperor is just as likely as not to stay away
until dark, confound it all."

"Tell me," said Maurice, his curiosity again getting the better of
him, "isn't it possible that the news you are bringing may be from
Bazaine?"

"Perhaps so. There was a good deal of talk about him down there at
Monthois."

At that moment there was a stir outside in the street, and Jean, who
was standing by one of the doors of the arbor, turned and said:

"The Emperor!"

Immediately everyone was on his feet. Along the broad, white road,
with its rows of poplars on either side, came a troop of cent-gardes,
spick and span in their brilliant uniforms, their cuirasses blazing in
the sunlight, and immediately behind them rode the Emperor,
accompanied by his staff, in a wide open space, followed by a second
troop of cent-gardes.