At the club he found nearly thirty persons; they all tumultuously voted the withdrawal of the petition, and Lanterre was despatched to the Champ de Mars to take possession of it.
Such was the state of affairs when M. Duplay returned from the Jacobins, and asked where were his wife and daughters.
He was told they were gone with Félicién to the Champ de Mars to see the petition signed.
“Not an instant is to be lost!” cried M. Duplay. “If the petition is not withdrawn in time, there will most certainly be a row, perhaps fire-arms used! Quick!—let us on to the Champ de Mars!”
We left the house to the care of Catherine and the old grandmother and set off in haste for the Porte St. Honoré.
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE RED FLAG.
Upon our arrival, the Champ de Mars presented an aspect of the most profound tranquillity.
A strong detachment of troops, with two or three pieces of cannon, which had been stationed there in consequence of the assassination which had taken place in the morning, seeing that nothing extraordinary took place, gradually withdrew, leaving the place to three or four hundred inoffensive strollers, and a small group of men, to whom no one paid the slightest attention, but which, like many small clouds, contained a terrific tempest.