ing was
asleep; they would not be satisfied, but demanded loudly that they
should be admitted to the Palace. The situation was growing critical;
we stood, as it were, upon a mine, which a spark might explode at any
moment. M. Belloc's face was pale but determined; his brows were
knitted; he gazed at the mob with angry scorn.

"Give us the word, sir," said the young Englishman, "and we will
scatter them like chaff!"

This, I knew well, was mere reckless bravery; we were but a handful
compared with the multitude, and would quickly have been lost in the
human sea. Still, I liked the speaker none the less for his daring,
and more than one trooper grimly growled approval.

Raoul was white now, and the perspiration stood in beads on his
forehead. At first I did not understand why he should be afraid, but
his hurried words to our leader made the reason plain.

"Unless something is done quickly," he exclaimed, "there will be a
frightful tragedy. I will write a note to the Duke, and you shall send
it by a private way. He is the only man who can induce these people to
disperse."

"He, or De Retz," said Belloc with a sneer.

I had never seen the old warrior so angry. He was playing a part for
which he had no liking. It was not in his nature to stand quietly by
while his sovereign was insulted; his fingers strayed nervously towards
the hilt of his sword; he would have leaped for joy had his Queen sent
him permission to charge headlong at the rabble. But he realised, as
we did, that the safety of the Royal Family depended more on tact than
on brute courage, and he had just agreed to Raoul's proposal when a
note was handed him from the Palace.

"_Parbleu!_" he exclaimed savagely, having mastered its contents, "this
goes against the grain, but the Queen's commands must be obeyed. Here
is an order, monsieur, to admit a part of the _canaille_ into the
Palace! Perhaps, monsieur, you will select the sturdiest of your
ruffians for the honour."

Raoul did not resent the insult, though his face burned like fire, but
facing the angry people he spoke to them boldly.

"Citizens," cried he, in a clear ringing voice, "I have a message for
you from Her Majesty. I have told you the King is in bed and asleep,
but you are not satisfied. That you may be quite sure, the
Queen-Mother desires that a deputation shall visit the royal
apartments. Will you be content with the report of your own friends?"

"Yes, yes," shouted the mo