The Cardinal was, it seems, in a terrible fright. The Queen,
full of Spanish pride and high courage, would really have rather
perished than yielded to the populace; but Mazarin was more and more
terrified, and at last she yielded, and consented to his going to the
Counsellors to promise the release of the prisoners. He was
trembling all over, and made quite an absurd appearance, and
presently the Parliament men appeared again, carrying huge sealed
letters; Broussel's was borne by his nephew in triumph. We could
hear the Vivas! With which the people greeted them, as the promise of
restoration was made known. At eleven at night there was a fresh
outcry, but this was of joy, for M. Blancmesnil had actually come
back from Vincennes; but the barricades were not taken down. There
was to be no laying down of arms till Broussel appeared, and there
were strange noises all night, preventing sleep.
At eight o'clock the next morning Broussel had not appeared; the
people were walking about in a sullen rage, and this was made worse
by a report that there were 10,000 soldiers in the Bois de Boulogne
ready to chastise the people. We could see from our house-top the
glancing or arms at every barricade where the sun could penetrate,
and in the midst came one of the servants announcing Monsieur Clement
Darpent.
He had a sword by his side, and pistols at his belt, and he said that
he was come to assure the ladies that there would be no danger for
them.
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