The four leagues were accomplished in an hour.
They arrived at Pont-de-Somme-Vesles, a little hamlet, consisting of two or three houses. They pierced with their eyes the wood which overshadowed the farm to the left; and the trees which indicated the windings of the river on the right, formed, as it were, a curtain of green to hide the modest streamlet from the curious eye, but still no De Choiseul, no De Goguelot, no forty hussars were to be seen.
On seeing that the place was desolate, the Queen uttered the words “We are lost!”
In the meantime, let us explain why the hussars were not at their post.
At eleven o’clock M. de Choiseul, still accompanied by Léonard, in tears, who knew not where they were taking him, and who believed himself to be the victim of some unjustifiable violence, arrived at Pont-de-Somme-Vesles.
The hussars, as yet, were not at their posts; all around was tranquil.
He alighted at the post-house, his example being followed by Léonard, who had the diamonds still concealed in his bosom, and asked for a private chamber in which to don his uniform.
Léonard watched him; his cup of misery was filled to the brim.
Now that M. de Choiseul had, as he believed, nothing to fear, he found time to pity him.
“My dear Léonard!” said he, “it is time that you knew the whole truth.”