The soldiers of the guard were gathered together in one room with their captain, and Briant explained the situation, after disarming them.
"My men have orders to fire upon the first who cries out or tries to escape," he said. "They are all men fresh from fighting on the frontier, where they have learned to obey orders without question."
So Pierre Briant carried out the instructions which Herrick had given him a few hours since in the house by the wall. The gate had been secured silently, and a messenger was sent across the bridge to the woods, where Lemasle lay with a strong force.
"Tell him the gate is ours and the wedding is before noon," said Briant.
Lemasle and many of his men had entered the city, and crowded into the guard-rooms at the gate, or stood close in side streets so as not to attract the attention of any one who might be loitering in the neighborhood, when a carriage came down the street and toward the gate. It was stopped by the sentries placed there by Lemasle.
The Countess Elisabeth, who was the only occupant, produced an order permitting her to leave Vayenne. It was signed by Christine de Liancourt and Count Felix.
"Madame, you cannot pass."
"But there is the order."
Lemasle came forward, and looked at the paper.
"Only the Duke's signature is of any value, madame."