hat he did not expect it.

However, it was useless being alarmed; so, putting a bold face on the
matter, I made friends with the horses, fed and watered them myself,
and spent all the afternoon with them. A quarter before six I had them
put to, and, mounting the box, drove the carriage--a private one
borrowed for the occasion--slowly round to the appointed place. It
still wanted a few minutes to six when the bells of the city churches
clanged forth in thunderous peals, and, though ignorant of the cause, I
felt somewhat alarmed.

"That will be awkward for our plan," I muttered. "There is a tumult of
some sort going on, and the streets will be crowded. So much the worse
for us."

Five minutes passed, but no one had opened the door of the Palace;
another five minutes slipped away and the animals were growing
restless, when suddenly Belloc himself appeared. One glance at his
face was sufficient to tell me that something had gone amiss.

"Get your weapons," he cried, "send the horses back to the stables, and
come inside."

As soon as I had joined him, he fastened the door, and led the way
upstairs.

"What has happened?" I asked, feeling strangely bewildered.

"Treachery," said he sternly; "we have been betrayed. Orleans has
seized the gates, and the streets are filled with a shouting mob.
Change your dress quickly, we shall need every sword."

"But the mob will not dare----"

"_Peste!_ the mob will dare anything! De Retz has called the people to
arms, and presently they will attack the Palace. Paris will swim in
blood before morning."

"But De Retz will prevent the _canaille_ from going too far."

"Bah! you speak like a boy! Once they are roused, De Retz can no more
hold them back than he can fondle a starving tigress without being
bitten. Make haste and come to me."

By the time I had cleansed the stain from my hands and face, and
resumed my ordinary apparel, every one in the Palace was aware of the
terrible danger. Trembling servants went about with white faces;
high-born cavaliers lined the corridors leading to the royal
apartments; officers silently posted their men; everything was made
ready for a fierce struggle.

"No surrender!" was the cry from every fighting man. "Let us die where
we stand."

Gradually the noise and tumult outside came nearer; we could hear the
tramp of marching feet and the savage shouts of the populace clamouring
to see the King. Choosing the post of danger, M. Bell