"Your highness," replied the trembling steward, "the court is filled
with an infuriated mob, who rushed in before we had time to close
the gates."

Eugene, with an exclamation of dismay, would have darted to the
window, but the steward raised his hand imploringly.

"Do not let them see you, prince," cried he. "They have torn up the
pavement, and with the stones have shattered the windows of the
lower story."

"Then it is a riot," said the countess, "and the canaille of Paris
have rebelled against the aristocracy."

"Unhappily, your highness, their anger is directed exclusively
against the Hotel Soissons, and, if I judged by the number of our
assailants, I should say that all Paris has joined in the attack.
Not only the canaille are here, but, as I was hurrying to the corps
de garde to ask for protection, I saw more than one well-dressed
personage descend from his carriage and come thither to increase the
number of our enemies."

"I understand," said the countess, setting her teeth, "the anger of
the mob is directed against ME."

"Mother," whispered Eugene, "they must be the same men whom I met in
the streets, and whose jeers drove me thither to add to your misery
the stab of my unfilial doubts."

"Did you say that you had sent off for guards?" asked she of Latour.