Frightened of the swords of the gentlemen, and melted by the entreaty of the Queen, the postilions set off at a gallop.
But they had lost ten minutes, and these ten minutes M. Drouet had turned to profit.
They dashed on, but were obliged to avoid the arch, for fear of breaking their heads, so they turned round the church, and began to descend the Rue Basse Cour.
But before they could execute that manœuvre, their course was suddenly arrested.
The cabriolet, as we have said, preceded the chaise; but scarcely had it turned out of the Place, when the bridles of the horses were seized by two men. These were the elder Leblanc, and M. Thevenin, of Islettes.
That first carriage contained but two maids of honor to the Queen—Mesdames Brunier and De Neuville.
“Messieurs! messieurs!” cried they; “what is your will?”
At this moment, a man advanced towards the cabriolet. He was the Procureur de la Commune, M. Sauce, who, awakened from his sleep had sallied out, determined to do his duty.
“Excuse me, ladies,” said he, “but, without doubt, you have passports?”
“They are with the people in the other carriage,” replied Madame de Neuville.