rtege presenting
so determined a front that the crowd, which had remained hanging about
the door, fled every way. Even some peaceable folk who found themselves
in our road took the precaution of slipping into doorways, or stood
aside to give us the full width of the street.

I remarked--and I think it increased my anxiety--that our leader
was dressed with more than usual care and richness, but, unlike his
attendants, wore no arms. He took occasion, as we hurried along, to give
me a word of advice. 'M. de Marsac,' he said, looking at me suddenly,
'my nephew has given me to understand that you place yourself entirely
in my hands.'

I replied that I asked for no better fortune, and, whatever the event,
thanked him from the bottom of my heart.

'Be pleased then to keep silence until I bid you speak,' he replied
sharply, for he was one of those whom a sudden stress sours and
exacerbates. 'And, above all, no violence without my orders. We are
about to fight a battle, and a critical one, but it must be won with our
heads. If we can we will keep you out of the Provost-Marshal's hands.'

And if not? I remembered the threats Father Antoine had used, and in
a moment I lost sight of the street with all its light and life and
movement. I felt no longer the wholesome stinging of the wind. I tasted
instead a fetid air, and saw round me a narrow cell and masked figures,
and in particular a swarthy man is a leather apron leaning over a
brazier, from which came lurid flames. And I was bound. I experienced
that utter helplessness which is the last test of courage. The man
came forward, and then--then, thank God! the vision passed away.
An exclamation to which M. d'Agen gave vent, brought me back to the
present, and to the blessed knowledge that the fight was not yet over.

We were within a score of paces, I found, of the Castle gates; but so
were also a second party, who had just debouched from a side-street, and
now hurried on, pace for pace, with us, with the evident intention of
forestalling us, The race ended in both companies reaching the entrance
at the same time, with the consequence of some jostling taking place
amongst the servants. This must have led to blows but for the strenuous
commands which M. de Rambouillet had laid upon his followers. I found
myself in a moment confronted by a row of scowling faces, while a dozen
threatening hands were stretched out towards me, and as many voices,
among which I recognised Fresnoy's,