The two parties were separated one from the other by about twenty paces.
One of the sentinels crossed the road, and on seeing the first party, stopped them.
“Oh, aunt!” cried Madame Royale; “we are lost! That man recognises us!”
Madame Elizabeth made no reply, but continued to advance.
Madame Royale was deceived. They were not recognised—or, if they were, it was by a friend.
The sentinel turned his back on them, and allowed them to pass.
At the expiration of five minutes, Madame de Tourzel, the two princesses, and the Dauphin were in the carriage, which was awaiting them at the corner of the Rue de l’Echelle.
M. de Fersen was so well disguised, that the princesses did not recognize him. It was he who knew them. He leapt from his box, opened the door, and assisted them in.
At the moment that M. de Fersen shut the door, an empty fiacre passed by. Seeing a brother cabman stopping, he stopped likewise, and began to enter into a conversation about the times.
M. de Fersen, a man of ready wit, sustained the conversation wonderfully, and, drawing a snuff-box from his pocket, offered his friend a pinch.