Finally, behind the carriage came four other armed men on horseback.
Although rude, this equipage and retinue inspired profound admiration among the inhabitants of the little town; the sight of a coach, however inelegant, was always to them a novel and interesting thing.
As we have said, the crowd stood silently looking on. They knew that Raimond V. never used this carriage except on important occasions, and a lively curiosity suspended for a time their most violent passions.
They whispered among each other concerning the direction the carriage would take: was it to the church, or was it to the town hall?
This last supposition became probable as Raimond V., having turned the corner of the street, took the road which led to the edifice where the overseers of the port were assembled.
Soon doubt changed to certainty, when they heard the stentorian voice of Laramée cry:
“Room! make way for monseigneur, who is going to the tribunal of the overseers!”
Theae words, passing from mouth to mouth, finally reached the ears of the consul and the recorder, whose disappointment and vexation were extreme.
“Why, what have you said, recorder?” cried the men who surrounded him, “here is Raimond V.; he is coming to present himself before the tribunal of overseers.”
“Then he has not resolved to make straw of our privileges?”