Meanwhile the second gang had darted towards the Queen's apartments; but the stairs were narrow and only two can go up abreast. It was in the corridor that Valence Charny watched.
He fired when his challenge was not replied to.
The door opened and Andrea appeared, having heard the shot.
"Save her Majesty," cried the young man, "they are after her life. I am alone against fifty, but never mind, I shall hold the door as long as I can. Make haste!"
The assailants stole upon him and he banged the door to, shouting:
"Fasten the bolts! I shall live long enough to give the Queen time to flee."
Turning around he ran two wretches through with his bayonet.
The Queen had heard all this, and Andrea found her afoot when she entered her bedroom. Two of her ladies hastily dressed her, and urged her into the private way, while Andrea, always calm and indifferent to danger for herself, bolted each door by which they passed.
At the junction of the communication of the two royal apartments, a man was waiting. It was Charny, covered with blood.
"The King?" cried Marie Antoinette, on seeing this. "You promised to save him."