It was at this moment that the carriage, approaching the crowd, had lessened its speed. Rudolph, much astonished let down the window, and said in German to the foot-man who stood near the door, "Well, Franz, what is the matter? what is this tumult?"
"There is such a crowd that the horses cannot your highness."
"And what is the reason of the crowd?"
"I have just heard that there is an execution about to take place, your highness."
"Oh! this is frightful!" cried Rudolph, throwing himself back in the carriage.
"What is the matter, father?" said Fleur-de-Marie, with anxiety.
"Nothing—nothing, my child."
"But these threatening cries—do you hear? they approach. What is that?"
"Franz, order the postilions to turn and go to Charenton by another road, whatever it may be," said Rudolph.
"It is too late, your highness! we are in the crowd. They have stopped the horses. Some ill-looking people—" The footman could not say another word. The crowd, exasperated by the sanguinary shouts of Skeleton and Nicholas, suddenly surrounded the carriage. In spite of the efforts and threats of the postilions, the horses were stopped, and Rudolph saw himself surrounded on all sides by horrible, threatening, and furious faces: pre-eminent among all, from his great height, was Skeleton, who advanced to the carriage door.