But her story hung together so faithfully, and was so far borne out by the fact that Varennes himself had indeed signed such a document as she described, that in the end the Deputy determined to take some steps to neutralise the harm that might have been done.
Dismissing the girl with the assurance that the matter should have his attention, he began by despatching a courier to Robespierre at Chartres--where he knew the Incorruptible to be.

That done, he resorted to measures for La Boulaye's detention.

But this proved a grave matter.

What if, after all, that half-hysterical girl's story should be inaccurate?
In what case would he find himself if, acting upon it in the meantime, he should order Caron's arrest?
The person of a Deputy was not one to be so lightly treated, and he might find himself constrained to answer a serious charge in consequence.

Thus partly actuated by patriotism and the fear of Robespierre, and partly restrained by patriotism and the fear of La Boulaye, he decided upon a middle course: that of simply detaining La Boulaye at his lodging until Robespierre should either return or send an answer to his message.