Meanwhile Choiseul had consulted with the Queen by glances and on her mute assent he had gone downstairs.
The King was aware that he was lost if he yielded without resistance to this rebellion of the villages, for it was rebellion from his point of view.
"Gentlemen," he said, "this is violence; but I am not so lonely as you imagine. At the door are forty determined men and ten thousand soldiers are around Varennes. I order you to have my horses harnessed to the coach—do you hear, I order!"
"Well said, Sire," whispered the Queen, stepping up; "let us risk life but not injure our honor and dignity."
"What will result if we refuse your Majesty?" asked the National Guards officer.
"I shall appeal to force, and you will be responsible for the blood spilt, which will be shed by you."
"Have it so then," replied Hannonet, "call in your hussars—I will let my men loose on them!"
He left the room.
The King and the Queen looked at one another, daunted; they would perhaps have given way had it not been for an incident.