Love and liberty

by Alexandre Dumas

Then, in place of having a courier in simple livery, there were three gardes du corps, in the livery of the Prince de Condé.

Then, in place of choosing three men who knew the route, they chose three who had never travelled that way before.

Then, in place of hiding the King, who was supposed to be Madame de Korff’s steward, in the other carriage, he was placed face to face and knee to knee, with his pretended mistress, in the principal conveyance.

Then, in place of having the carriages drawn by two, or even four, horses, they must needs have six, not remembering that the King alone is allowed to have that number.

Then, in place of arming the gardes du corps to the teeth, they give them small hunting-knives for use, and locked up the pistols and other implements of warfare in the trunk, covered with red, bordered with gold, the same as the King used at Cherbourg.

Then, in place of taking M. d’Agout, that resolute man who knew the route, and whom M. de Bouillé had recommended, they take Madame Tourzel, the children’s governess, who claimed the place by etiquette that D’Agout would have won by devotion.

Taking all in all, every precaution was taken.

Quos vult perdere Jupiter prius dementat.