We watched, sure that we heard cries and shouts in the
distance, the roar of the populace, such as I remembered on that
wedding day, but sharper and shriller, as French voices are in a
different key from the English roar and growl.
It passed, however, and there was long silence. Gaspard and
Armantine stood at the window, and at last, as evening twilight fell,
cried out that a carriage was coming in at the porte cochere.
Presently Annora ran into the room, all in a glow, and Eustace
followed more slowly.
'Have you been frightened?' she cried. 'Oh, we have had such an
adventure! If they had not screamed and shrieked like peacocks, or
furies, I could have thought myself in England.'
'Alack! that a tumult should seem like home to you, sister,' said
Eustace gravely.
Then they told how at the ambassador's chapel they had heard that
good Lady Fanshawe, whom they had known in England, had arrived sick
and sad, after the loss of a young child. They determined,
therefore, to steal away from Notre Dame before the ceremony was
over, and go to see whether anything could be done for her. They
could not, however, get out so quickly as they expected, and they
were in the Rue de Marmousets when they saw surging towards them a
tremendous crowd, shouting, screeching, shrieking, roaring, trying to
stop a carriage which was being urged on with six horses, with the
royal guards trying to force their way.
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