"Only an attempt to get Madame Coutance and her niece out of the city. I am afraid there will be mischief in a day or two." "Sooner than that, my friend! The pikes are being sharpened and the _canaille_ will be all armed by nightfall. I suppose you have heard the news of Conde?" "That he has shown his true colours? Yes! it is the best thing that could have happened. Of course you are for the Crown and against Conde?" "I am for the Duke of Orleans," said he. "What, against the King?" "Against the world, if it comes to that! I chose him as my patron and must stand by him, though I hope he will not assist Conde." "If he does you will be a rebel." "All right," cried he, with his merry laugh, "there will be small novelty in that. Ah! here comes Beauchamp, looking as solemn as an owl. Can you not manage to screw out a smile, Raoul? A glimpse of yourself in a glass just now would frighten you to death. Look a bit lively, there is plenty of time for being miserable." "Brule has arrived with his report," said Raoul, "and things are even worse than we expected; the barricades will be up to-night. Here, Albert, take care of this," and he gave me an order signed by the Duke: "Allow bearer and two friends to pass the gate of St. Denis without question or delay." "Thanks," said I, slipping it into my pocket, "it may mean all the difference between life and death, though whether Madame Coutance will leave is more than I can tell. And now, good-bye, for the second time; I am going to my rooms for a few minutes, and after that to the Rue Crillon." "Avoid the short cuts," D'Arcy advised; "or you may get into trouble, and if you are invited to cry 'Down with the King!' shout with all your might. Better to use your breath unpleasantly than to lose it altogether." "It is as likely to be 'Down with Conde!' as anything else," I answered laughing, "and in that case you will hear my voice at the Luxembourg." "By the way," said Raoul, "have you seen John Humphreys?" "No, I must spare five minutes for him. It is only a hop, skip, and jump from my place to the Palais Royal," and, with their good wishes ringing in my ears, I set off for the Rue des Catonnes. CHAPTER XXII. The Mob Rises. "Ah! it is monsieur!" and my landlord came from his room, where he had evidently been watching for me. "A note from the Palais Royal, monsieur! The messenger has called three times; it is of importance." "From the Palais Royal? Let me see it. Ah! what a nuisance. Well, I must attend to it; meanwhile, get me a coarse blue woollen overall and a workman's cap. My finery and plumed hat are likely to cause trouble." "They shall be at once obtained, monsieur," said he without a trace of surprise. "Good!" and I turned back, glancing again at the paper as I walked.