We left Paris quite early next day, but not too early, however, to learn the ill-starred news.
During the night the King of Rome, the Empress, and King Joseph had left Paris and were speeding towards the Loire.
On learning this news, which meant the abandonment of the capital, my mother felt that the place where we were—a little village on the great highway, six leagues from the barriers—was the place of all places where we should be least safe, even though we might not be in any danger at all.
Paris, we heard, was preparing to defend herself, so if we remained at Mesnil we should be right in the line of attack.
Moreover, the enemy was at Meaux—their advance-guard had been seen as far as Bondy.
My mother determined to turn back, and we started on our return journey to Villers-Cotterets the next day.
I have completely forgotten what we did with Crétet and Mademoiselle Adélaïde, I only know they were not with us during the subsequent events.
When we reached Nanteuil, we learnt that the enemy had turned the position at Soissons, and were at Villers-Cotterets, marching upon Nanteuil. The Cossacks had discovered the quarry, had gone down into it and, according to rumour, had committed abominations in its dark depths such as the sun itself would have blushed to see had they been done in the light of day.
We heard behind us, from the direction of Paris, the sound of firing, and we were informed that the Prussian advance-guard was at Levignan, two leagues from where we then were. Therefore, if we wished to escape entirely from the enemy, there was only the road to Crespy available.