Suddenly he noticed that the
grove was vomiting forth something noisy and penetrating--a bubble of
vapor accompanied by a deafening report. Something was hurtling through
the air with a strident curve. Then a roof in the village opened like
a crater, vomiting forth flying wood, fragments of plaster and broken
furniture. All the interior of the house seemed to be escaping in a
stream of smoke, dirt and splinters.
The invaders were bombarding Villeblanche before attempting attack, as
though fearing to encounter persistent resistance in its streets. More
projectiles fell. Some passed over the houses, exploding between
the hamlet and the castle. The towers of the Desnoyers property
were beginning to attract the aim of the artillerymen. The owner
was therefore about to abandon his dangerous observatory when he saw
something white like a tablecloth or sheet floating from the church
tower. His neighbors had hoisted this signal of peace in order to avoid
bombardment. A few more missiles fell and then there was silence.
When Don Marcelo reached his park he found the Warden burying at the
foot of a tree the sporting rifles still remaining in his castle. Then
he went toward the great iron gates. The enemies were going to come,
and he had to receive them. While uneasily awaiting their arrival his
compunctions again tormented him.
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