The King understood her fear.
"I do not see any horses for Lord Choiseul and Damas," observed he.
"They can follow as they like," said Billet; "my orders are to bring the King and the Queen, and do not speak of them."
"But I declare that I will not go without them having their horses," broke forth the monarch with more firmness than was expected from him.
"What do you say to that?" cried Billet to his men swarming into the room. "Here is the King not going because these gentlemen have no horses!"
The mob roared with laughter.
"I will find them," said Romeuf.
"Do not quit their Majesties," interposed Choiseul: "your office gives you some power over the people, and it depends on your honor that not a hair of their head should fall."
Romeuf stopped, while Billet snapped his fingers.