It was necessary to stop. They thus lost two hours—the days were long; the night of the 20th of June is the shortest in the year.
Then they came to a hill. The King insisted on their walking up; thus they lost another half-hour.
Half-past four sounded from the cathedral as the berlin entered Châlons, and stopped at the post-house, then situated at the end of the Rue St. Jacques.
M. de Valory approached the carriage.
“All goes well, Francis,” said the Queen to him. “It seems to me that, if there had been an intention of stopping us, it would have been put into execution before now.”
In speaking to M. de Valory, the Queen disclosed her countenance.
The King likewise imprudently showed himself.
The postmaster, Oudes, recognized him; one of the spectators, whom curiosity had drawn to the spot, at once knew that it was the King.
The postmaster saw the above-mentioned spectator disappear, and consequently feared some evil to the King.
“Sire,” said he, in a whisper, “for heaven’s sake do not expose yourself, or you are lost!” Then, speaking to the postilions, “How now, idlers!” cried he. “Is this the way that you treat well-to-do travellers who pay thirty sous?”