“‘Captain,’ said I to him, ’they are murdering each other in the town, we are pursued and without asylum, so we come to you.’  ’That’s right, my children,’ said he; ’come in and welcome.  I have never meddled with political affairs, and no one can have anything against me.  No one will think of looking for you here.’

“The captain had friends in the town, who, one after another, reached his house, and brought us news of all that went on during that dreadful day.  Many soldiers had been killed, and the Mamelukes had been annihilated.  A negress who had been in the service of these unfortunates had been taken on the quay.  ‘Cry “Long live the king!’ shouted the mob.  ‘No,’ she replied.  ‘To Napoleon I owe my daily bread; long live Napoleon!’ A bayonet-thrust in the abdomen was the answer.  ‘Villains!’ said she, covering the wound with her hand to keep back the protruding entrails.  ‘Long live Napoleon!’ A push sent her into the water; she sank, but rose again to the surface, and waving her hand, she cried for the last time, ‘Long live Napoleon!’ a bullet shot putting an end to her life.

“Several of the townspeople had met with shocking deaths.  For instance, M. Angles, a neighbour of mine, an old man and no inconsiderable scholar, having unfortunately, when at the palace some days before, given utterance before witnesses to the sentiment that Napoleon was a great man, learned that for this crime he was about to be arrested.  Yielding to the prayers of his family, he disguised himself, and, getting into a waggon, set off to seek safety in the country.  He was, however, recognised and brought a prisoner to the place du Chapitre, where, after being buffeted about and insulted for an hour by the populace, he was at last murdered.

“It may easily be imagined that although no one came to disturb us we did not sleep much that night.  The ladies rested on sofas or in arm-chairs without undressing, while our host, M______ and myself took turns in guarding the door, gun in hand.

“As soon as it was light we consulted what course we should take:  I was of the opinion that we ought to try to reach Aix by unfrequented paths; having friends there, we should be able to procure a carriage and get to Nimes, where my family lived.  But my wife did not agree with me.  ’I must go back to town for our things,’ said she; ’we have no clothes but those on our backs.  Let us send to the village to ask if Marseilles is quieter to-day than yesterday.’  So we sent off a messenger.

“The news he brought back was favourable; order was completely restored.  I could not quite believe this, and still refused to let my wife return to the town unless I accompanied her.  But in that everyone was against me:  my presence would give rise to dangers which without me had no existence.  Where were the miscreants cowardly enough to murder a woman of eighteen who belonged to no-party and had never injured anyone?  As for me, my opinions were well known.  Moreover, my mother-in-law offered to accompany her daughter, and both joined in persuading me that there was no danger.  At last I was forced to consent, but only on one condition.