It was only a few seconds at stake anyhow, for the rider galloped up as fast as his horse could go.
He stared as he came up for he could not understand why the party should be scattered all over the road.
He arrived as the huge vehicle stopped at the top of the ridge to take up the passengers.
It was indeed Charny as the Queen's heart and the King's eyes had told them. He was now wearing a green riding coat with flap collar, a broad brimmed hat with steel buckle, white waistcoat, tight buckskin breeches, and high boots reaching above the knee. His usually dead white complexion was animated by the ride and sparks of the same flame which reddened his cheeks shot from his eyes.
He looked like a conqueror as he rushed along; the Queen thought she had never seen him look handsomer. She heaved a deep sigh as the horseman leaped off his horse and saluted the King.
Turning, he bowed to the Queen. All grouped themselves round him, except two guardsmen who stood aloof in respect.
"Come near, gentlemen," said the King: "what news Count Charny brings concerns us all."
"To begin with, all goes well," said Charny: "At two in the morning none suspected our flight."
They breathed easier: the questions were multiplied. He related that he had entered the town and been stopped by a patrol of volunteers who however became convinced that the King was still in the palace. He entered his own room and changed his dress: the aid of Lafayette who first had a doubt, had become calm and dismissed extra guards.
He had returned on the same horse from the difficulty of getting a fresh one so early. It almost foundered, poor beast, but he reached Bondy upon it. There he took a fresh one and continued his ride with nothing alarming along the road.