Barricades were erected with wonderful rapidity; two of those were on the boulevard close to the place where I was.

I saw a horseman suddenly bound over the first; he wore a tuft of red-and-white feathers in his hat.

I saw that it was a staff officer, doubtless carrying some despatch to headquarters.

He continued his way, sabre in its sheath, head erect, proud and calm in the midst of insulting shouts from the crowd; stones were thrown at him and sticks at his horse's legs; he looked as if he were parading upon the Place du Carrousel.
"When he reached the second barricade, he drew his horse up, as if it were merely a question of jumping a hurdle in a steeplechase just then I saw the window on the first floor open again.

'Ah! you old rascal!' I exclaimed.