He stopped the carriage near a baker's shop, which
was already open, and going in himself, returned with not only bread,
but a jug and cup of milk. I think we never enjoyed anything so
much; and in the meantime the excellent Jean Marie rolled up our
mattress so close that, as Gaspard said, it could hardly have been
supposed to contain in puppy dog.
They saw us safely through the barriers. M. Darpent gave his word for
us, and out we went into the country while scarcely the dawn was yet
seen. At a turn in the road we saw only the morning star hanging
like a great lamp in the east, and I showed it to the little boys,
and told them of the three kings led by the Star to the Cradle. I
heard afterwards that the little Chevalier thought we saw the real
Star in the East sent to guide us to St. Germain, forgetting that it
was the wrong direction; but he had been very little taught, and this
was the first he had ever heard of the Gospel, which was familiar to
my boy. They both fell asleep presently on the cushions, and I think
I did so likewise, for I was surprised to find myself at St. Germain
in broad daylight. Everybody was gone to mass for the festival, and
we crept in after them.
Mademoiselle was delighted to see me, and always believed we had made
our passage so safely in consequence of the respect paid to her and
her carriage. It was a strange day; no one did anything but run
about and hear or tell news of how the people in Paris were taking
the departure of the Court, and wonder when the troops would come up
to begin the siege, or, what was more pressing, what was to be done
for food and for bedding? We ate as we could.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234