"Do not leave me," said the Queen.
He bowed, and rode by the carriage side.
During this time Isidore rode on, gaining on the vehicle, and fearing that the people of St. Menehould would also take umbrage at having the soldiers in their town. He was not wrong.
The first thing he perceived there was a goodly number of National Guards scattered about the streets; they were the first seen since he left the capital.
The whole town seemed in a stir and on the opposite side, drums were beating.
He dashed through the streets without appearing to notice the tumult: crossing the square he stopped at the postinghouse.
On a bench in the square he noticed a dozen dragoons not in their helmets but fatigue caps, sitting at ease. Up at a ground floor window lounged Marquis Dandoins in undress, also, with a riding whip in his hand.
Isidore passed without seeming to look, presuming that the captain would recognize the royal courier by his uniform and not need any other hint.
At the posthouse was a young man whose hair was cut short in the Emperor Titus fashion which the Patriots adopted in the period: he wore his beard all round the lower face from ear to ear. He was in a dressing gown.
"What do you want?" challenged the black-whiskered man, seeing that the new-comer was looking round.