But the voice was drowned in the yelling of the mob; moreover, the rope was cut by a bullet. In vain did the guard resist; they were overborne by the huge waves of people; the gallows was overthrown and demolished; the executioners took flight; the crowd overflowed the square, seized upon the body, tore it limb from limb, and dragged the pieces about through the streets. Stupid in its hatred, it believed that it was adding to the young nobleman's punishment, whereas it was really saving him from the infamy he dreaded so deeply. During this scene Barrabas accosted the duke, and handed him the letter of which he was the bearer, although he could see for himself that he had arrived too late. The duke, notwithstanding the brisk discharge of firearms, simply drew a little aside,--for his courage was as calm and cool as every other of his qualities,--and read the letter. "It's a pity," he said, turning to his officers; "the plan that this Nanon suggests would have been preferable perhaps; but what's done is done.--By the way," he added after reflecting a moment, "as she is to await our reply on the other side of the river, we may even yet be able to gratify her." Without further thought for the messenger, he put spurs to his horse, and rode back with his escort to the princess. At that moment the storm which had been gathering for some time, burst over Bordeaux, and a heavy rain, accompanied with vivid lightning, deluged the Esplanade as if to wash it clean of innocent blood. V. While these things were taking place at Bordeaux, while the people were dragging the body of poor Canolles through the street, while the Duc de La Rochefoucauld was returning to flatter the pride of Madame la Princesse by pointing out to her that her power to do evil was as great as any queen's, while Cauvignac was spurring toward the city gates with Barrabas, deeming it useless to pursue their mission farther, a carriage drawn by four breathless, foam-flecked horses, came to a standstill upon the shore of the Garonne opposite Bordeaux, and between the villages of Belcroix and La Bastide. Eleven o'clock had just struck. A mounted courier, who followed the carriage, leaped hastily to the ground as it stopped, and opened the door. A woman hurriedly alighted, looked up at the sky, which was all ablaze with a bright red light, and listened to the distant shouts and noises. "You are sure," said she to the maid who alighted after her, "that we have not been followed?" "No, madame; the two outriders who remained behind at madame's command, have just come up with the carriage, and they have not seen or heard anything." "Do not you hear anything in the direction of the city?" "It seems to me that I hear shouting in the distance." "Do you see nothing?" "I see something like the reflection of a fire." "Those are torches."