nine o'clock
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 . On meeting in a wood , twelve miles from Saint Cloud , the three officers of Lafayette 's staff were to be gained over , or to be overpowered by the servants ; and then all were to push on for the frontier . Meanwhile , the people at home would wait till nine o'clock , quietly enough . Then , on becoming alarmed and looking about , they would find on the king 's desk a letter to the Assembly , which they would instantly forward . It could not reach Paris before ten ; and then the Assembly would not be sitting . The president would have to be found ; and the Assembly could hardly be got together , or messengers sent after the fugitives , before midnight ; when the royal family would have had a start of eight hours .