By the time he finished reading the Declaration aloud, Monsieur was leaning against his desk, his coat placed back on its customary place on the wall. Both the Madame and I remained silent during his reading, though I admit that I fidgeted with a few buttons while listening. Perhaps it was the Monsieur’s tone or demeanor, for it was not the first time that I heard it read aloud, but it was the first time that I did not feel enthusiasm swell in my breast.

Madame did not share my lack of enthusiasm; a soft smile was on her features. It may have been more dampened than any of my previous reactions, but her smile was definitely positive. As I caught this smile, my own heart shook off Monsieur’s grave attitude and I took up my own determined smile as I asked, “Shall I take this down to Master Marchand for printing?”

He shook his head, stating before I could raise my objection, “He is ill and at home in bed. Take it to Master LaMontangue.” He rolled the document up and slipped it back into the map case, handing it to me. I strode to the door and opened it, encountering a surprised Phillipe, one of the pressmen, about to knock upon my nose. Not something I would appreciate given he is much larger than I am.