rien

• Pron

  1. nothing
  2. anything

• Noun

ne

1. not (used alone to negate a verb; now chiefly with only a few particular verbs: see usage notes)
2. not, no (used before a verb, with a coordinating negative element usually following; see Usage Notes, below)
3. Used in a subordinate clause before a subjunctive verb (especially when the main verb expresses doubt or fear), to provide extra overtones of doubt or uncertainty (but not negating its verb); the so-called "pleonastic" or "expletive" ne.
4. In comparative clauses usually translated with the positive sense of the subsequent negative

pouvait

third-person singular imperfect indicative of pouvoir

nous

• Pron

  1. the plural personal pronoun in the first person:
  2. the plural personal pronoun in the first person:
  3. we (as the royal we)

• Noun

arrêter

1. to halt; to stop
2. to settle; to conclude; to agree (upon)
3. to arrest (a criminal, etc)
4. to come to a stop
5. to wait