The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)

how little moment they deemed this "street disturbance," as they were pleased to call it; others, again, were curious to pick up in soci

stances which they were obliged to travel, the obstructions and passwords and explanations which met them at every turn. These w

mportant parts of the capital, the troops were in possession of all the thoroughfares. Of course, the great topic of conver

, the adulation bestowed on the monarch and all around him, one might really have fancied himself back again at the Tuileries in the time of Louis the Fourteenth. All agreed in deeming the occasion a

the capital, and how impatiently she drank in the last tidings from the streets; nor less marked was the expression of proud scorn upon her features, as she heard the insulting estimate of the populace, and the vainglorious confidence in the soldiery. But more than all these was her haughty indignation as she listened to the confused, mistaken opinions uttered on every side as to the policy of the Government and the benevolent intentions of the king. Once, and only once, did she forget the prudent resolve she wished to impose upon herself; but temper and caution and reserve gave way, as she hear

le. "I thought we were in the Place de Vend?me,

and confidante is a Girondist of th

it of Marat under the mask of Nino

ng girl's arm within her own. "They tell me you have terrified every one,-that Madame de

ame over her; "but I could bear it no longer. Besides, what does it ma

ou told Villemart that when the Government spoke with

e, with a faint smile.

nd say so,-come, dearest." And she drew her, as she spoke, into the crowded salon, now already a scene of excited leave-taking. The brilliant company, however, fell back as the

her most captivating smile; "pray vouchsafe me a hearing. My friend-my dearest, be

" broke in Madame de

d pointing in the direction whence came a terrible c

remony than might be expected, began to depart. Lady Dorothea alone was ignorant of what had occurred, and witnessed this

" was the reply. "We should be comprom

ish we left you in s

ray be warned of your da

acted by another, if Mademoiselle continues a member of

s include you in the terrible

ests, till Lady Dorothea, confused, almost stunned by reiterated shocks, sat silently accepting

e de Mirecourt drew nigh to say farewell, that in a faint, weak voice she said,-"Can you tel

ar. I only heard it when too late, my

-heard what?" cr

ves; we only laughed, as indeed every one would do

f? Tell me, I beseech y

manner. "I have routed this gorgeous assembly, shocked your most distinguished guests, and horrifie

ave dared

madam," rej

m have you had

, my Lady, I have said what doubtless is not often uttered in such choice company

eset the streets, have all produced so much excitement that even a few words spoken at random are enough to cause fear. It is one of Kate's fancies to terrorize thus over weak m

ntended to impose, and her Ladyship received the last adieus of the Duchess with a cold and stately formality; and then,

ed nor varied, she narrated briefly the scene which had just occurred, not extenuating i

to outrage the best blood of France!" exclaimed

r an apology, it would be in the

posing me to a partnership in the shame that attaches to your

ink of that, madam," said Kate

f all, write me an humble apology for this vulgar tirade, this outrage upon my company,

r of implicit obedience at a w

ast time.' No, not that. 'If the sincere sorrow in which I pen these lines.' No. Do it yourself.

for a few seconds. Having finished, she read

ble to leave Paris for at least forty hours. By that time the Monarchy will have run its course in France. You will probably desi

'The authorities are required to aid and tender all assistance in their power to Lady Dorothea Martin and all who acco

"Jules

of Police

nd, too!" exclaimed Lady

to the seal of the Prefecture, and e

tion,-if it be worthy of such a name; one in the confidence of this stupid ca

will have passed off the stage, and men of a different stamp take the direction of affairs. One of these will be he whose name

ea, tearing it in fragments. "So poor a ch

ady. I can suffice for my own guidance. I

e yourself. Truly, mademoiselle, Republicanism has a right to

Lady, that your contr

nately. "Your father is our creature; he has no other subsistence than what we condescend to bestow on him. He shall know, whe

oupled with a certain show of respect it is bearable. Destroy that, and it is mere slavery, abject and degrad

t. Here you shall remain; without," added she, in an accent of supreme contempt, "your counsel and direction sha

was just dawning; a gray half-light covered the sky, but the dark shadows of the tall houses still stretched over the Place. Here, now, the troops were all in motion; a sudden summons havi

o the regular footfall of a great multitude moving in measured time; and now a vast crowd poured into the Place, silent and wordless. On they came from the various quarters that opened into the square,-men, for the most part clad in blouses or in the coarse garb of laborers. They were armed either with musket or sword, and in many instances wore the cross-belt of the soldier. They proceeded at once to barricade the square at its opening into the Rue de la Paix,-a work which they accomplished with astonishing speed and regularity; for, while Kate still looked, a formidable rampart was thrown up across the entire street, along which a line of armed men was stationed, every one

was Martin himself, hastily aroused from his bed by his servant, who in great alarm told him that the capital was in open revolt, the king's troops beaten back, and the people v

experienced, made no reply whatever; and Martin, judging from the expression of her featur

ted towards the balcony,

o pack up whatever they can,-direct everything, in fact. My Lady is too ill,-too much overcome to act, or think of anything. Our whole reliance is upon you." While he was yet uttering these broken, disjointed sentences, he had drawn Kate by the arm within the room, and now stood beside Lady Dorothea's chair. Her Ladyship raised

ou are always equal to an effort when necessity press

ss Henderson is her own mistress,-she

and then bending down over the chair, said, "Dear Dora, we must be active and stirring; the people will soo

erposed Lady Dorothea; "she has equal co

y. And although only spoken in a whisper, Lady Dorothea overheard them, an

n enraged populace and a maddened soldiery. There, listen!-that was arti

knell of the Monarchy!

had occurred. It was a charge of heavy cavalry endeavoring to force the barricade; and now, vigorously repulsed by the defenders,

Kate's shoulder. She turned and saw Captain

a mile away," said

as n't going to lose this. I knew it was to come off to-day, an

you remained? There! see how they bear down on the soldiery; they will not be restrained; they are crossing the barricade

the architrave above their heads, and

rawing her within the room. "If you will not leave t

he mob are getting the best of it, and, worse again, that the troops are joining them; so, to make sure, I 've sent o

aster, too, has fled, and everything is in confusion. But if we had horses the stree

to be done?"

er Boulevard on foot, carriages and horses are easily fou

be done. What do you think?" said he, addressing Kate, who

h this plan?" asked Ma

; "the troops are rapidly joining the people,-they come

xclaimed Lady Dor

t assume the port and bearing of a free man. This struggle

hese barricades?" cri

e all," said Kate. "You may trust me.

thea. "Alas that we should see the

tial tone. "Massingbred-Jack Massingbred-is now here, in my room. I know all about my mother's dislike to him, and he kn

to be here?"

ailles, where the meeting was to take place; but indeed he had no thought of accepting shelter under our roof; and when he found where he was, it was with the greatest difficulty

to join us if we

my mo

and balance difficulties. I don't myself think that Massingbred treated us fairly, but it is no

red to her for some minutes. At first, a slight gesture of impatience bu

his night are never to have an end," said she,

no choice of his he came here. His foot wa

ay that there is not a minute to be lost. They are expecting an attack on

enly, and in a voice weak and broken, added: "I am ready. Give me yo

at the foot of the stairs with an

d, for I told them to ca

e found Martin and Massingbred standing to receive them, surrounded by a nume

avoiding the awkwardness of a more ceremonious meeting. "A few hours back

to her salutation. "Every moment brings fresh tidings of defection am

onarchy to be badly served in tim

added he, as a gesture of impatience broke from her, "that these acts of the king, having

pprove of. This is but Democracy at best, and smacks of the policy w

nce of him who is now speaking with Miss Henderson." And he pointed to a man who, holding th

he?" asked s

e in the struggle against a rule which he foresees intended to bring back the days of a worn-out, effete monar

is he?" asked she,

Lagrang

e seen it somewhere lately," said sh

euilly, madam, without seeing him. He was, besid

t the Duchess condescended to

st the Crown; I will not say, however, that

d Martin, pointing towards Kate, who, still conversing

our orders," said Lady Dorothea, s

the Captain. "To look at her, one would

ent than before, now summo

s gestures seeming as though endeavoring to extenuate or explain away something in his conduct; next came Lady Dorothea, supported between her husband and her son, and while walking slowly and with faltering steps, still carrying her head proud

ned a house, and by the speed and activity of their movements, urged on as they were by

ey are making signs to us from the windows,-the troops are

, too, will delay them, and give you some minutes to prepare. And as

your cane, sir," said th

Jack, gayly; "I only ho

eckoning to Lady Dorothea to hasten, "the pa

us?" whispered Martin t

n a lower tone, "were the choice give

e, and, bending down his head, he said, "H

the passage at once. They are expecting an attack." An

hea; "see how her eyes sparkle, and mar

ho seemed the chief of the party. "All my wishes are wit

ficer. "You are too late. Ther

othea, haughtily; "protection from s

hand, and hastening on before the others. And now the heavy wagon had

bred?" asked the

udly, pointing to the barricade, upon which, now, J

advancing on the barricade, they drew up and halted in triple file across the street. Their attitude of silent, stern defiance-for

ne," said the Captain, "who forced the Pont-

command from the officer. While she endeavored to explain how and why they were there, the cries and menaces of the populace grew louder and wilder. The officer, a very young s

if I have the right to let you pass. We may be attacked at any moment

running up at the moment. "They have thrown up

ate, "and do not sacrifice your br

or and your loyalty," cried Lady Dorothea. "Is it agains

head. "Let us carry the barricade!" And a wild yell of

rowing herself before him. "Let me make terms fo

hey have forced the barricade." And the quick tramp of

your King, sir," cried La

of France,-and of Liberty!" sa

es!" said he, waving his swor

the air. The defenders of the barricade had opened their fire, and wit

rothea along, who, in her eagerness, now forgot all pers

o the rear!" cried the Captain, a

d her fairly from the ground, and carried her within the deep recess of a porte cochère. Scarcely,

struck," exclaimed Mar

" said Kate, as she showed the bullet whic

ion on the beautiful features before him; the faint smile she wore he

-gloriously done! No, by Jove! they are falling back; the fire is murderous. See how they bayonet them. The troops mu

aid Kate, in a ha

top of the barricade, in the midst of it all. I

all portion of the door was opened to admit them. "The

sting Kate to rise. "Good Heavens! her arm is broken,-it is s

r and bolt it when the hurried tramp without, and the wild yell of popu

as she stooped over her. And the scalding

Kate, calmly; "the pain is not very great, and there wil

of skill than might be expected. "I 've seen many a fellow struck down who did n't

outside would rally me. Hear!-listen!-the soldiers are in full re

d Lady Dorothea, mildly, to her; "suc

of it," said she, while her cheek flushed,

of the servants to Martin, "and we m

hea. "Let us look to her and think