“Madame,” said Sauce, “you are going the wrong way to Frankfort—but that is not the question. Have you a passport?”
Madame de Tourzel drew the passport from her pocket, and presented it to the Procureur de la Commune.
The passport was correct. It was, in fact, that of Madame de Korff, which M. de Fersen had given to the Queen.
M. Sauce took the passport, which the false Baroness handed him; and, by the light of a lantern which an officious bystander offered him, began to reconnoitre the King.
The king, no doubt, wounded by the mark of disrespect, tried to make some resistance.
“Who are you, sir?” asked he of the magistrate. “What is your rank? Are you only a National Guard?”
“I am Procureur de la Commune,” replied M. Sauce.
The King, whether dumbfounded by the force of these words, or conceiving that the response was sufficient, made no further objections.
The procureur threw his eyes over the passport, and addressing, not the King, but the false Baroness de Korff,—“Madame,” said he, “it is too late to viser a passport to-night; and, on the other hand, it is my duty to detain you!”
The Queen interposed.