Presently better informed people came up, and spread a report that the hussars had come, not to injure Madame d’Elbœuf’s tenants, but to escort the King and Queen.
This was also a very serious matter.
At about half-past four, M. de Choiseul and his hussars were so completely hemmed in, that the three officers counselled together as to what was best to be done.
They agreed unanimously that it was impossible that they could hold out much longer.
The number of peasants was augmented to about three hundred, many of whom were armed.
If, by ill luck, the King and Queen arrived at this critical juncture, forty men, supposing that each killed his adversary, would be insufficient to protect them.
M. de Choiseul re-read his orders:—
“Manage in such a manner that the King’s carriage shall continue its progress without interruption.”
But his presence and that of the forty men became an obstacle instead of a support.