"Your forms are to deliberate," hotly replied M.d'Agoult, who had recovered himself; "I know nothing of those forms, the king's orders must be executed without delay; point out to me those whom I have to arrest." Silence reigned throughout the hall; not a word, not a gesture indicated the accused.
Only the dukes and peers made merry aloud over the nobleman charged with so disagreeable a mission: he repeated his demand: "We are all d'Espremesnil and Montsabert," exclaimed the magistrates.

M.d'Agoult left the room.
He soon returned, accompanied by an exon of the short robe, named Larchier.

"Show me whom I have to arrest," was the officer's order.
The exon looked all round the room; he knew every one of the magistrates; the accused were sitting right in front of him.

"I do not see MM.

d'Espremesnil and Montsabert anywhere," he at last said, tremulously.
M.d'Agoult's threats could not get any other answer out of him.
The officer had gone to ask for fresh orders; the deputation sent to Versailles had returned, without having been received by Louis XVI., of whom an audience had not been requested.