Themembersofthecommitteeconsultedwithoneanotherinlowtones，andthechairmanthenannouncedtoToulanthathiswishwouldbecompliedwith，andthatanescortofsoldiersmightaccompanyhimtohishouse，toallowhimtoprocurelinenandclothing，andtosealhiseffectsandpapersintheirpresence。
Toulanthankedthemwithcheerfullooks，andwentoutintothestreetbetweenthetwoguards。Astheywereonthewaytohishouse，hetalkedeasilywiththem，laughedandjoked；butinhisownthoughtshesaidtohimself，“Youarelost!hopelesslylost，ifyoudonotescapenow。Youarethepreyoftheguillotine，ifthegatesoftheprisononcecloseuponyou；thereforeescape，escapeordie。“
Whilehewasthuslaughingandtalkingwiththesoldiers，andmeanwhilethinkingsuchsolemnthoughts，hissharpblackeyeswereglancinginalldirections，lookingforafriendwhomightassisthimoutofhistrouble。Andfortunesenthimsuchafriend!——Ricard，Ionian’smosttrustedcounsellor，theabettorofhisplans。Toulancalledhimwithananimatedface，andinloudtonestoldhimthathehadbeendenounced，andthereforearrested；andthathewasonlyallowedtogotohishousetoprocuresomeclothing。
“Comealong，Ricard，“hesaid。“Theyaregoingtoputmyeffectsunderseal，andyouhavesomepapersandbooksonmywriting-table。
Comealong，andtakepossessionofyourownthings，sothattheymaynotbesealedupasmine。“