'Look,' roared one of the crowd; 'in the house of God, despotism preaches to the captives that nothing but a miracle can deliver them from their bonds.'
'Follow me,' cried another, armed with a hatchet, leaping in. Directly the sanctuary was invaded, and the objectionable painting was removed; but no other injury was done.
In the meantime, the corporal, Nicholas, and the two women, followed by a number of men, armed with guns, hatchets, and pikes, rushed along the passage in the new buildings. Gabrielle conducted them. They reached the corridor in the well-court, between the towers Du Pont and De la Liberté.
'Thirty-five,' said Gabrielle, arresting them at the door where Madame Berthier was confined.
Hatchets, bars, and hammers were at once applied, and the door was forced in.
Before them stood the lady, with the yellow cat on her shoulder, hissing with fright, with erect back and tail.
Gabrielle fell into her arms, without speaking.
'I thought so,' said Madame Plomb; 'we have been expecting the towers to fall every minute. Now come away from here; they have been tottering for days—for years, I believe; come quickly away, or they will bury you under the ruins. I am going, and Gabriel is going, so none of you remain behind.'
Then striding over the shattered door with her cat still perched beside her head, holding Gabrielle's arm, she led the way into the corridor.