"Have it so," said the sovereign tearfully, "you shall not quit me ever."
Thus they took in reality the place of couriers. Choiseul closed the door.
"Gentlemen," said the King, "I positively give the order that you shall drive me to Montmedy. Postillions, to Montmedy!"
But one voice, that of the united populations of more than this town, replied:
"To Paris!"
In the lull, Billet pointed with his sword and said:
"Postboys, take the Clermont Road."
The vehicle whirled round to obey this order.
"I take you all for witness that I am overpowered by violence," said Louis XVI.
Exhausted by the effort he had made, the unfortunate King, who had never shown so much will before, fell back on the rear seat, between the Queen and his sister.