Pagina 587 de 896

But when they came to the town of Beauvais--which they did at

eventide, when the streets were filled with people--he could not

conceal from himself that the aspect of affairs was very

alarming. An ominous crowd gathered to see him dismount of the

posting-yard, and many voices called out loudly, "Down with the

emigrant!"

He stopped in the act of swinging himself out of his saddle, and,

resuming it as his safest place, said:

"Emigrant, my friends! Do you not see me here, in France, of my

own will?"

"You are a cursed emigrant," cried a farrier, making at him in a

furious manner through the press, hammer in hand; "and you are a

cursed aristocrat!"

The postmaster interposed himself between this man and the

rider's bridle (at which he was evidently making), and soothingly

said, "Let him be; let him be! He will be judged at Paris."

"Judged!" repeated the farrier, swinging his hammer. "Ay! and

condemned as a traitor." At this the crowd roared approval.