But with a few shouts and oaths and threats at one another they got through in safety, and the unwieldy carriage was brought to a standstill.
They were clamouring about its doors, and to La Boulaye it seemed that they were on the point of quarrelling among themselves, some wanting to enter the coach and others seeking to restrain them, when through the porte-cochere rode Charlot Tardivet himself.
He barked out a sharp word of command, and they grew silent and still, testifying to a discipline which said much for the strength of character of their captain.

He was strangely altered, was this Tardivet, and his appearance now was worthy of his followers.

Under a gaudily-laced, three-cornered hat his hair hung dishevelled and unkempt, like wisps of straw.

He wore a coat of flowered black silk, with a heavy gold edging, and a very bright plum-coloured waistcoat showed above the broad tricolour scarf that sashed his middle.

His breeches were white (or had been white in origin), and disappeared into a pair of very lustrous lacquered boots that rose high above his knees.