noon
They knew also that the reverberations from the direction of Meaux , that each moment grew more loud and savage , were the French `` seventy-fives '' whipping the gray column forward . Of what they felt the Germans did not speak . In silence they looked at each other , and in the eyes of Marie was bitterness and resolve . Toward noon Marie met Anfossi in the great drawing-room that stretched the length of the terrace and from the windows of which , through the park gates , they could see the Paris road . `` This , that is passing now , '' said Marie , `` is the last of our rear-guard . Go to your tower , '' she ordered , `` and send word that except for stragglers and the wounded our column has just passed through Neufchelles , and that any moment we expect the French . '' She raised her hand impressively .