ng to me nervously in an almost fainting state,
but her aunt walked boldly with head erect and her eyes flashing like
stars. In spite of the terrible danger I could hardly repress a smile
at sight of this high-born dame in her servant's dress, compelled to
struggle with the _canaille_ like a woman of the markets. To make
matters worse, we were forced to cry aloud, "Down with Conde!" which I
did lustily, but madame made many wry faces, and, but for her niece,
would have refused outright. It was quite painful enough for her to
hear others insulting the great hero.

Twice we were swung back to the door of the house, which was now
completely wrecked; then, still surrounded by the mob, we were tossed,
like floating straws, clear of the street. Since that night I have
taken part in more than one fierce battle, but have never experienced
the same feeling of horror as during that eventful struggle in the Rue
Crillon.

The danger was not yet over; we had still some distance to walk, and
every few yards we met groups of rioters hurrying to the work of
destruction. Some cried, "Down with the Queen!" or "Down with the
Parliament!" but most of them yelled "Down with Conde!" because for the
moment that was the popular cry.

Just at first we walked rather briskly, but very soon Marie's pace
became slower, she hung with greater weight on my arm, and I feared
every moment she would faint; It was evident that unless she got better
we should not reach St. Denis that night.

We were in a fairly quiet street when Madame Coutance suddenly
exclaimed, "Let us rest a few minutes in this doorway. Marie, look up,
child; there is nothing to fear now; we are safe here."

For answer, the girl, whose nerves were completely overwrought,
shuddered and sobbed.

"Take me away," she cried, "oh, take me away. Back to Aunay; anywhere
out of this horrible place."

"That is what we are going to do," I said soothingly. "I have a
special permit which will pass us through the gate of St. Denis. But
you must be strong and brave, or we shall not get there."

"I will try," she moaned, "I will try; but oh, it is horrible."

"Hush!" exclaimed her aunt sharply, "listen."

I had been too much occupied with Marie to pay attention to anything
else, but now I distinctly heard the sound of voices on the other side
of the door.

"Poor child," a woman was saying softly, "she is half dead with fright.
Let her come in, I say."

"But the rioters?" excla