four o'clock
There might have been spies about them that they did not know of ; and , since nothing could be worse than their management of all business matters , from inexperience and want of knowledge of other people 's minds and affairs , their enemies might feel pretty secure that the royal prisoners could not fly far without being caught . There was a plan for escape completely formed , as we know from the lady to whom the queen confided it . No one doubted of the entire success of this scheme ; and the lady daily expected and hoped to have to wait in vain for the return of the royal family from their drive . They went out every afternoon at four o'clock ; and often did not return till eight , and sometimes even not till nine . The king went on horseback , attended by grooms and pages on whom he could rely . The ladies , in a carriage , were also followed by grooms and pages . The plan was for all to ride to the same place on a certain afternoon , by different roads , -- the king on horseback , the queen and her daughter , and the princess Elizabeth , in a carriage ; the Dauphin and Madame de Tourzel in a chaise ; and some of the royal suite in other vehicles .