midnight
The rest of the dragoons at Clermont , -- all but two , -- struck their swords into the scabbard when ordered to draw , and declared for the people , instead of the king . The Duke de Choiseul , with his hussars , was all the while stumbling about in the cross country , finding it difficult enough to get to Varennes , as he must avoid the high roads . Some of his troop fell and were hurt ; and their comrades refused to go on without them . Towards midnight , the alarm-bell of Varennes was heard through the darkness . The duke said it was no doubt some fire : but in his heart he had strong fears of the truth . Bouille , junior , sent by his father , had been waiting with his troop six hours at Varennes : and he , supposing that the party would not arrive this day , was in bed and asleep when the berlin reached the village , at eleven o'clock . His troop were , some of them , drinking in the public-houses .