At Nanteuil, Guise had been visited by the constable, with two of his sons, by Saint Andre, and by other prominent leaders. Accompanied by them, he now took the decided step of going to Paris in spite of Catharine's prohibition. His entry resembled a triumphal procession.[44] In the midst of an escort estimated by eye-witnesses at two thousand horse, Francis of Guise avoided the more direct gate of St. Martin, and took that of St. Denis, through which the kings of France were accustomed to pass. Vast crowds turned out to meet him, and the cries of "_Vive Monsieur de Guise!_" sounding much like regal acclammations, were uttered without rebuke on all sides. The "prevost des marchands" and other members of the municipal government received him with great demonstrations of joy, as the defender of the faith. At the same hour the Prince of Conde, surrounded by a large number of Protestant noblemen, students, and citizens, was riding to one of the preaching-places.[45] The two cavalcades met, but no collision ensued. The Huguenot and the papist courteously saluted each other, and then rode on. It is even reported that between the leaders themselves less sincere amenities were interchanged. Guise sent word to Conde that he and his company, whom he had assembled only on account of the malevolent, were at the prince's commands. Conde answered by saying that his own men were armed only to prevent the populace of Paris from making an attack upon the Protestants as they went to their place of worship.[46] [Sidenote: Anxieties of Catharine de' Medici.]