Rumor magnified that force immensely.

The Marquis gave the order for the concentration of all the troops in the province, to the number of six thousand.

He sent out scouting detachments, and companies of engineers to break down bridges and block up roads--none of whom, by the way, obeyed his orders.

In short, he did everything that experience, skill and devotion could suggest to stop the Emperor and terminate the great adventure then and there.
The ruffling of the drums in the square ceased.

The old Marquis detached himself from his staff and the cavalry and rode out between the regiments.