"But where is Chevalier Bouille, and Lieut. Raigecourt?" he looked inquiringly around.
"I have not so much as seen those officers," said the King, joining in.
"I give you my word, Sire, that I thought they had died under your carriage-wheels, or even you had come to this," observed Count Damas.
"What is to be done?" asked the King.
"We must save you," replied Damas. "Give your orders."
"My orders?"
"Sire, I have forty hussars at the door, who are fagged but we can get as far as Dun."
"But how can we manage?" inquired the King.
"I will dismount seven of my men, on whose horses you should get, the Dauphin in your arms. We will lay the swords about us and cut our way through as the only chance. But the decision must be instant for in a quarter of an hour perhaps my men will be bought over."
The Queen approved of the project but the King seemed to elude her gaze and the influence she had over him.