On the 27th of July, Marcel boldly resolved to set at liberty and send over to him the four hundred English imprisoned in the Louvre.

He had them let out, accordingly, and himself escorted them as far as the gate St.Honore, in the midst of a throng that made no movement for all its irritation.

Some of Marcel's satellites who formed the escort cried out as they went, "Has anybody aught to say against the setting of these prisoners at liberty ?" The Parisians remembered their late reverse, and not a voice was raised.
"Strongly moved as the people of Paris were in their hearts against the provost of tradesmen," says a contemporary chronicle, there was not a man who durst commence a riot." Marcel's position became day by day more critical.

The dauphin, encamped with his army around Paris, was keeping up secret but very active communications with it; and a party, numerous and already growing in popularity, was being formed there in his favor.

Men of note, who were lately Marcel's comrades, were now pronouncing against him; and John Maillart, one of the four chosen captains of the municipal forces, was the most vigilant.