Jean d'Angely, where the
Huguenots were strong, and whence he might take steps to set himself
right with his own side.
But to cross the great river which divides France into two lands widely
differing he must leave the city by the east gate; for the only bridge
over the Loire within forty miles of Angers lay eastward from the town,
at Ponts de Ce, four miles away. To this gate, therefore, past the Rue
Toussaint, he whirled his party daringly; and though the women grew pale
as the sounds of riot broke louder on the ear, and they discovered that
they were approaching instead of leaving the danger--and though
Tignonville for an instant thought him mad, and snatched at the
Countess's rein--his men-at-arms, who knew him, galloped stolidly on,
passed like clockwork the end of the street, and, reckless of the stream
of persons hurrying in the direction of the alarm, heedless of the fright
and anger their passage excited, pressed steadily on. A moment and the
gate through which they had entered the previous evening appeared before
them. And--a sight welcome to one of them--it was open.
They were fortunate indeed, for a few seconds later they had been too
late. The alarm had preceded them. As they dashed up, a man ran to the
chains of the portcullis and tried to lower it.
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