It had come at last. Chance or fate had given the mob a cry, which was all they needed. They were bent on plunder and violence, and any excuse was good enough. Low, deep, and stern, like the early rumblings of a volcano, the cry sounded; then the volume swelled, became clearer and more piercing, till at last in one stupendous roar it shook the place. "Down with Conde! Down with Conde!" Marie shivered and gave a gasp of terror, but her aunt still smiled scornfully; she was really an amazing woman. "What imbeciles!" she exclaimed; "they do not know who is their best friend." "Nor care," said I, "they intend being their own friends this evening. Stay there a moment while I see to things downstairs." "Do not venture into the street, Albert," cried Marie, "you will be killed," and I promised to take no risks. Collecting the servants, who were half dead through fright, I set them to work barricading the lower part of the house, and as soon as they had done all that was possible, I ran again up the stairs to the room which the ladies still occupied. By now the street was packed, and more than one dwelling house had been broken open. Out went costly furniture to be smashed into fragments by the howling rioters, and, "Down with Conde! Death to the friends of Conde!" echoed and re-echoed on all sides. The mob moved nearer, and attacked the house on the opposite side of the street. Crash went the door, and the people rushed in with cries of triumph. We saw them appear in a room on a level with our own; the window was flung open, and a beautiful statue was hurled on to the pavement below. Down came rich hangings, costly pictures and gilded mirrors; the small articles only were stolen, the others were hacked and chopped and trampled to pieces underfoot. "Madame," said I firmly, "you must delay no longer. For your niece's sake, if not for your own, you must attempt to escape." A loud howl added force to my advice, and a dozen stalwart hands banged at our frail barricade. It could not resist long, and what chance would there be for us, when the rioters had swept it away? "Down with the house! Burn it! Burn it! Have them out! Friends of Conde to the death! Room there for Pierre's club! Bravo, Pierre!" "Madame," I cried passionately, "listen to reason. Do you want this innocent girl killed before your eyes? These wild beasts will have no mercy." "It is too late," she answered calmly, "and we both come from a race that knows how to die." "It is not too late; there is still a chance. Get some clothes from the servants, and disguise yourselves; we can slip out at the back." Even then I believe she would have stood her ground, but for Marie's evident terror. The poor girl could not conceal her dismay, and her eyes distended in fright as the hungry roar of the mob leaped from the street. Those in front hacked at the barrier: those behind urged on their fellows with deep-mouthed baying.