At this moment, also, the crowd was met by a courier coming from the
Boulevard des Invalides, and galloping towards the Barriere de
Charenton. He was dressed in a light blue jacket with yellow collar,
with a double row of silver lace down the seams, but, as a mark of deep
mourning, he wore black breeches and high boots; his cap also, with a
broad band of silver, was encircled with crape, and on the winkers of
his horse were the arms of Gerolstein.

He walked his horse, his advance becoming every moment more difficult,
and he was almost obliged to stop when he found himself in the midst of
the sea of people we have described. Although he called to them, and
moved his horse with the greatest caution, cries, abuse, and threats
were soon directed against him.

"Does he want to ride us down, that vagabond?"

"He's got lots o' silver on his precious body!" cried Tortillard.

"If he comes against us we'll make him alight and strip the 'tin' off
his jacket to go to the melter's," said Nicholas.

"And we'll take the seams out of your carcase if you are not careful,
you cursed jockey!" added the Skeleton, addressing the courier and
seizing the bridle of his horse,--for the crowd was so dense that the
ruffian had given up his idea of dancing to the barrier.

The courier, who was a powerful and resolute fellow, said to the
Skeleton, lifting the handle of his whip, "If you do not let go my
bridle I'll lay my whip over you. Let me pass; my lord's carriage is
coming close behind. Let me go forward, I say."

"Your lord!" said the Skeleton; "what is your lord to me? I'll slit his
weasand if I like! I never did for a lord; I should like to try my
hand."

"There are no more lords now. _Vive la Charte!_" shouted Tortillard; and
as he said so he whistled a verse of the "Parisienne," and clinging to
one of the courier's legs nearly drew him out of his saddle. A blow with
the handle of his whip on Tortillard's head punished his insolence; but
the populace instantly attacked the courier, who in vain spurred his
horse,--he could not advance a step.

Dismounted, amidst the shouts of the mob, he would have been murdered
but for the arrival of Rodolph's carriage, which took off the attention
of these wretches.

The prince's travelling carriage, drawn by four horses, had for some
time past advanced at only a foot pace, and one of the two footmen had
got down from the rumble and was walking by the side of the door, which
was very low;