When people have so much to lose, their calmness has an imposing effect; and the rhetoric of the most accomplished orator would have probably been less successful than was the composed manner of the marquis d'Aligre, in restoring the wonted courage of our amiable hostess.
When I rose to take leave, Madame C---- tried all her efforts to persuade me to remain to sleep at her house, and I had no little difficulty to escape from her importunity.

She would fain send all her men servants to escort me home, and the Marquis d'Aligre also pressingly offered his services; but I was obstinate in my refusal to allow anyone to accompany me, being convinced that there was even less danger in proceeding with a single servant than more numerously attended.

I tore myself from the embraces of Madame C----, whose tears flowed afresh, and bedewed my cheeks, and I once more passed through the court-yard, followed to the porter's lodge by the _dames de compagnie, femmes de chambre_, and _valets de chambre_, wondering at my courage, offering up their prayers for my safety, and proclaiming that only an Englishwoman would have faced such danger.

The old Swiss porter would not risk opening the gate until he had assured himself, from the window, that the coast was clear, and closed it so rapidly when I had passed it as almost to have endangered my heels.
On returning, I found a cord drawn across the street in front of the barrack in the Rue Verte, and some forty or fifty ill-dressed and riotous men assembled, half-a-dozen of whom held the cord.

Having approached close to it, I paused, and, looking calmly at those who held it, I appealed by looks to their politeness.