Stupified and astonished at being informed so late he instantly ordered the royal Allemand regiment, which was at Stenay, to mount and follow him.

The colonel of this regiment had received the previous evening orders to keep the horses saddled.

This order had not been executed, and the regiment lost three quarters of an hour, in spite of the repeated messages of M.de Bouille, who sent his own son to the barracks.

The general was powerless without this regiment, and no sooner were they outside the town than M.de Bouille endeavoured to ascertain its disposition towards the king.

"Your king," said he, "who was hastening hither to dwell amongst you, has been stopped by the inhabitants of Varennes, within a few leagues.