Eustace, afraid of his sister
being swept from him, looked for some escape, but the mob went faster
than they could do; and they might soon have been involved in it and
trampled down. There seemed no opening in the tall houses, when
suddenly a little door opened close to them, and there was a cry of
surprise; a hand was put out.
'You here! Nay, pardon me, Mademoiselle; take my arm.'
Clement Darpent was there. A few steps more, and taking out a small
key, he fitted it into the same little door, and led them into a dark
passage, then up a stair, into a large room, simply furnished, and
one end almost like an oratory. Here, looking anxiously from the
window, was an old lady in a plain black dress and black silk hood,
with a white apron and keys at her girdle.
'My mother,' said Clement, 'this gentleman and lady, M. le Baron de
Ribaumont and Mademoiselle sa soeur, have become involved in this
crowd. They will do us the favour of taking shelter here till the
uproar is over.'
Madame Darpent welcomed them kindly, but with anxious inquiries. Her
son only threw her a word in answer, prayed to be excused, and dashed
off again.
'Ah! there he is. May he be saved, the good old man,' cried Madame
Darpent.
And they could see a carriage with four horses containing the
Lieutenant Comminges holding a white-haired old man, in a very shabby
dressing-gown; while soldiers, men, women, boys, all struggled,
fought, and shrieked round it, like the furies let loose.
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