Remembering the unrest of the province, I should rather have concluded that their business was more like to be in that connection.
"He is bold, at least," cried one of the troopers, with a burst of laughter.

Then came the sergeant's voice, cold and formal, "In the King's name, Monsieur de Lesperon, I arrest you." He had whipped out his sword, and the point was within an inch of my breast.

But his arm, I observed, was stretched to its fullest extent, which forbade his making a sudden thrust.

To hamper him in the lunge there was the table between us.
So, my mind working quickly in this desperate situation, and realizing how dire and urgent the need to attempt an escape, I leapt suddenly back to find myself in the arms of his followers.

But in moving I had caught up by one of its legs the stool on which I had been sitting.