Elle regarda hardiment ces soldats ; Clélia comptait adresser la parole au sergent qui devait les commander : cet homme était absent. Clélia s’élança sur le petit escalier de fer qui tournait en spirale autour d’une colonne ; les soldats la regardèrent d’un air fort ébahi, mais, apparemment à cause de son châle de dentelle et de son chapeau, n’osèrent rien lui dire.
She faced these soldiers boldly; Clelia counted on speaking to the serjeant who would be in charge of them: this man was absent, Clelia rushed on to the little iron staircase which wound in a spiral round one of the pillars; the soldiers looked at her with great stupefaction but, evidently on account of her lace shawl and her hat, dared not say anything to her.