At that word Anne of Austria expected to see officers and soldiers come running forth, drawbridges lowered, gates thrown open, and swords waving in the air. But she saw nothing of all this. The sentinel brought his right leg up beside his left, drew a bead upon the new-comers, and said in a loud, firm voice, the one word:-- "Halt!" The king turned pale with rage; Anne of Austria bit her lips until the blood came; Mazarin muttered an Italian oath which was little used in France, but of which he had never succeeded in breaking himself; Monsieur le Maréchal de La Meilleraie did no more than glance at their Majesties, but it was a most eloquent glance. "I love to have all possible precautionary measures taken in my service," said the queen, striving to deceive herself; for despite the confident expression she forced herself to maintain, she began to be disturbed at the bottom of her heart. "I love respect for my person," murmured the young king, gazing with sullen wrath at the impassive sentinel. XIV. Meanwhile the words, "The king! the king!" repeated by the sentinel rather as a warning to his fellows than as a mark of respect, were taken up by several voices, and at last reached the fort. Thereupon a man appeared upon the crown of the ramparts, and the whole garrison gathered about him. He raised his staff of office; immediately the drums beat the salute, the soldiers presented arms, and a heavy gun boomed solemnly. "You see," said the queen, "they are coming to their senses at last,--better late than never. Let us go on." "Pardon, madame," said Maréchal de La Meilleraie, "but I cannot see that they are making any movement to throw open the gates, and we cannot enter unless the gates are open." "They have forgotten to do it in the surprise and excitement caused by this august and unexpected visit," a courtier ventured to suggest. "Such things are not forgotten, monsieur," the marshal replied. "Will your Majesties deign to listen to a word of advice from me?" he added, turning to the king and queen. "What is it, marshal?" "Your Majesties should withdraw to the distance of five Hundred yards with Guitaut and the guards, while I ride forward with the musketeers and light-horse, and reconnoitre the place." The queen replied with a single word. "Forward!" said she. "We will see if they will dare refuse to let us pass." The young king, in his delight, drove his spurs into his horse, and galloped ahead of the others. The marshal and Guitaut darted forward and overtook him. "You cannot pass!" said the sentinel, still maintaining his hostile attitude. "It is the king!" cried the pages. "Halt!" cried the sentinel, with a threatening gesture. At the same moment the hats and muskets of the soldiers assigned to the defence of the outermost intrenchment appeared above the parapet.