The dragoon, Lagache—who knew that the King had gone to Varennes, and not to Verdun, and who saw Drouet take the road to Verdun,—did not think it worth while to pursue him much longer; and when he saw him change his route, it was too late—he was a good half-hour in advance of him.
In the midst of all this, the King, continuing his route, had left M. Dandoins and his dragoons behind him, at St. Menehould, and M. de Damas and his at Clermont.
The one and the other ought to be pushing on behind him; and in all probability there was nothing to fear in the localities through which he was now travelling.
This reflection brought tranquillity to the travellers, who, between Neuvilly and Varennes, find oblivion in sleep.
We have seen how M. Valory, not finding relays at his post, had thought fit to await the illustrious travellers, in order to consult with them.
We have seen the Queen descend from the berlin, take the arm of M. Valory, and interrogate M. Préfontaine.
We have seen M. Préfontaine advance, trembling, to the door of the King’s carriage, answer his interrogatories, return to his house, shut his door, and afterwards open his window.
We have seen M. Drouet appear like a phantom from the midst of the shadow, forbidding the postilions to proceed, and rushing through the Rue des Réligieuses on to the Place de Latry.
We have seen the royal berlin stopped, and the occupants forced to descend, and accept the hospitality of M. Sauce, who ushered into a chamber on the first floor of his house the King, the Queen, Madame Elizabeth, Madame de Tourzel, Madame Royale, and the young Dauphin. The windows of this chamber were separated from the windows of mine by a passage, some seven or eight feet in breadth only.
We have also heard the noise at the top of the Rue Basse Cour, which was made by the arrival of the forty hussars of M. Goguelot and M. de Choiseul, in the midst of whom I recognised M. de Malmy, who had, without doubt, served as their guide.