When they reappeared, the women outside were in a state of violent exasperation; they had taken it into their heads that Madeleine had been bribed; and they cried out that the king had given her twenty-five louis-d'or. In vain did the girl empty her pockets to show there was no money there; they then assaulted Gabrielle. A great commotion arose. Some cried out, 'These girls have betrayed us. They have sold us to the queen!' and a thousand voices screamed, 'Hang the traitors!' What caused this sudden transition of feeling,--whether it arose from the jealousy of those who had failed to obtain admission, whether it was that Madeleine appeared too enthusiastic in her praise of his majesty, or whether the tumult had been excited by a malicious slander,--it is impossible to say. Certain it is, however, that a crowd of wild, ravenous amazons attacked the two girls with their fists; a garter was knotted round Madeleine's neck, and she was dragged off towards the nearest lamp, and would infallibly have been strung up to it, had not the guards interfered and rescued her. Gabrielle in the meanwhile was in the grasp of a furious termagant, who fastened her hands round her throat and attempted to strangle her. Frantic women around shrieked to her to deliver up the money which she had received from the king; her dress was torn, and her hands were wounded in struggling with the infuriated savages; her consciousness was beginning to leave her again, as the pressure on her throat tightened, when a stout arm swept her assailants to right and left, a hand seized her, and she was rapidly drawn away from the place of danger. The crowd was closely wedged together, and she and her deliverer disappeared from those who were incensed against her, amongst a throng who knew nothing of what was being enacted a few ranks beyond them. Her conductor worked his way through the people, and in another moment, with an air of relief, he exclaimed, 'Praised be God and Bruder Klaus, we are safe now!' 'Nicholas!' exclaimed Gabrielle, 'how came you here?' 'When I heard you were with Madeleine, I followed. I have kept as close to you as possible since I saw you leave the hall of the Assembly. It was well that I did so.' Gabrielle was sinking from fatigue and fear. 'Oh, Nicholas, I cannot endure any more. I shall die here.' 'No, no,' exclaimed he; 'lean against that wall.' 'Here!' he cried to a priest who was passing, 'M. le Curé, help!' 'What is the matter?' asked the priest, stopping. Gabrielle suddenly revived, and exclaimed with an accent of appealing distress,--'M. Lindet, help me!' 'Who are you?' asked the deputy for the clergy of Évreux. 'She is called Gabrielle André,' answered Nicholas; 'can you do anything for her? She is worn out, faint, and ill.' 'Follow me,' said the curé; 'she shall have rest and refreshment in my lodgings; I know little Gabrielle well.'