marie antoinette and her son-第25章

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life。　This　I　swear；　and　God　and　the　queen　have　heard　my　oath！〃

And　without　casting　another　glance　at　the　queen；　without　saluting
her；　Toulan　rose　and　softly　left　the　room；　tightly　closing　the　door
after　him。

〃Singular；〃　murmured　the　queen；　〃really　singular。　When　he　took　the
oath　a　shudder　passed　through　my　soul；　and　something　seemed　to　say
to　me　that　I　should　some　time　be　very　unhappy；　and　that　this　young
man　should　then　be　near　me。〃

〃Your　majesty　is　excited　to…day；　and　so　every　thing　seems　to　have　a
sad　meaning；〃　said　Madame　de　Campan；　softly。

〃But　the　sentence；　the　sentence！〃　cried　the　queen。　〃Give　me　the
paper；　I　will　read　it　myself。〃

Madame　de　Campan　hesitated。　〃Would　your　majesty　not　prefer　to
receive　it　in　the　presence　of　the　king；　and　have　it　read　by　his
majesty？〃

〃No；　no；　Campan。　If　it　is　favorable；　I　shall　have　pleasure　in
carrying　the　good　news　to　the　king。　If　it　is　unfavorable；　then　I　can
collect　myself　before　I　see　him。〃

〃But　it　is　so　dark　here　now　that　it　will　be　impossible　to　read
writing。〃

〃You　are　right；　let　us　go　into　my　sitting…room；〃　said　the　queen。
〃The　candles　must　be　lighted　there　already。　Come；　Campan；　since　I　am
indebted　to　you　for　this　early　message；　you　shall　be　the　first　to
learn　it。　Come；　Campan；　go　with　me！〃

With　a　quick　step　the　queen　returned　to　her　apartments；　and　entered
her　sitting…room；　followed　by　Madame　de　Campan；　whose　countenance
was　filled　with　sad　forebodings。　The　queen　was　right；　the　candles
had　already　been　lighted　in　her　apartments；　and　diffused　a　light
like　that　of　day　throughout　her　large　sitting…room。　In　the　little
porcelain　cabinet；　however；　there　was　a　milder　light；　as　Marie
Antoinette　liked　to　have　it　when　she　was　alone　and　sans　ceremonial。
The　candles　on　the　main　chandelier　were　not　lighted；　and　on　the
table　of　Sevres　china　and　rosewood　which　stood　before　the　divan　were
two　silver　candlesticks；　each　with　two　wax　candles。　These　four　were
the　only　lights　in　the　apartment。

〃Now；　Campan；〃　said　the　queen；　sinking　into　the　armchair　which　stood
before　the　table；　near　the　divan；　〃now　give　me　the　paper。　But　no；
you　would　better　read　it　to　mebut　exactly　as　it　stands。　You
promise　me　that？〃

〃Your　majesty　has　commanded；　and　I　must　obey；〃　said　Campan；　bowing。

〃Read；　read；〃　urged　Marie　Antoinette。　〃Let　me　know　the　sentence。〃

Madame　de　Campan　unfolded　the　paper；　and　went　nearer　to　the　light　in
order　to　see　better。　Marie　Antoinette　leaned　forward；　folded　both
hands　in　her　lap；　and　looked　at　Campan　with　an　expression　of　eager
expectation。

〃Read；　read！〃　she　repeated；　with　trembling　lips。　Madame　de　Campan
bowed　and　read：

〃First。The　writing；　the　basis　of　the　trial；　the　note　and
signatures；　are　declared　to　be　forged　in　imitation　of　the　queen's
hand。

〃Second。Count　Lamotte　is　sentenced　in　contumacion　to　the　galleys
for　life。

〃Third。The　woman　Lamotte　to　be　whipped；　marked　on　both　shoulders
with　the　letter　O；　and　to　be　confined　for　life。

〃Fourth。Retaux　de　Vilette　to　be　banished　for　life　from　France。

〃Fifth。Mademoiselle　Oliva　is　discharged。

〃Sixth。The　lord　cardinal〃

〃Well；〃　cried　the　queen；　passionately；　〃why　do　you　stammer；　why　do
you　tremble？　He　has　been　discharged；　I　know　it　already；　for　we　are
already　at　the　names　of　the　acquitted。　Read　on；　Campan。〃

And　Madame　de　Campan　read　on：

〃The　lord　cardinal　is　acquitted　from　every　charge；　and　is　allowed　to
publish　this　acquittal。〃

〃Acquitted！〃　cried　the　queen；　springing　from　her　seat；　〃acquitted！
Oh；　Campan；　what　I　feared　is　true。　The　Queen　of　France　has　become
the　victim　of　cabals　and　intrigues。　The　Queen　of　France　in　her
honor；　dignity；　and　virtue；　is　injured　and　wounded　by　one　of　her　own
subjects；　and　there　is　no　punishment　for　him；　he　is　free。　Pity　me；
Campan！　But　no；　on　the　contrary；　I　pity　you；　I　pity　France！　If　I　can
have　no　impartial　judges　in　a　matter　which　darkens　my　character；
what　can　you；　what　can　all　others　hope　for；　when　you　are　tried　in　a
matter　which　touches　your　happiness　and　honor？　＇Footnote：　The　very
words　of　the　queen　See　〃Memoires　de　Madame　de　Campan；〃　vol。　ii。；　o。
23。＇　I　am　sad；　sad　in　my　inmost　soul；　and　it　seems　to　me　as　if　this
instant　were　to　overshadow　my　whole　life；　as　if　the　shades　of　night
had　fallen　upon　me；　andwhat　is　that？　Did　you　blow　out　the　light；
Campan？〃

〃Your　majesty　sees　that　I　am　standing　entirely　away　from　the
lights。〃

〃But　only　see；〃　cried　the　queen；　〃one　of　the　candles　is　put　out！〃

〃It　is　true；〃　said　Madame　de　Campan；　looking　at　the　light；　over
which　a　bluish　cloud　was　yet　hovering。　〃The　light　is　put　out；　but　if
your　majesty　allows　me；　I〃

She　was　silent；　and　her　bearing　assumed　the　appearance　of　amazement
and　horror。

The　candle　which　had　been　burning　in　the　other　arm　of　the
candlestick　went　out　like　the　one　before。

The　queen　said　not　a　word。　She　gazed　with　pale　lips　and　wide…opened
eyes　at　both　the　lights；　the　last　spark　of　which　had　just
disappeared。

〃Will　your　majesty　allow　me　to　light　the　candles　again？〃　asked
Madame　de　Campan；　extending　her　hand　to　the　candlestick。

But　the　queen　held　her　hand　fast。　〃Let　them　be；〃　she　whispered；　〃I
want　to　see　whether　both　the　other　lights〃

Suddenly　she　was　convulsed；　and；　rising　slowly　from　her　arm…chair；
pointed　with　silent　amazement　at　the　second　candlestick。

One　of　the　two　other　lights　had　gone　out。

Only　one　was　now　burning；　and　dark　shadows　filled　the　cabinet。　The
one　light　faintly　illumined　only　the　centre；　and　shone　with　its
glare　upon　the　pale；　horrified　face　of　the　queen。

〃Campan；〃　she　whispered；　raising　her　arm；　and　pointing　at　the　single
light　which　remained　burning；　〃if　this　fourth　light　goes　out　like
the　other　three；　it　is　a　bad　omen　for　me；　and　forebodes　the　approach
of　misfortune。〃

At　this　instant　the　light　flared　up　and　illumined　the　room　more
distinctly；　then　its　flame　began　to　die　away。　One　flare　more　and
this　light　went　out；　and　a　deep　darkness　reigned　in　the　cabinet。

The　queen　uttered　a　loud；　piercing　cry；　and　sank　in　a　swoon。




CHAPTER　VIII。

BEFORE　THE　MARRIAGE。


The　wedding　guests　were　assembled。　Madame　Bugeaud　had　just　put　the
veil　upon　the　head　of　her　daughter　Margaret；　and　impressed　upon　her
forehead　the　last　kiss　of　motherly　love。　It　was　the　hour　when　a
mother　holds　her　daughter　as　a　child　in　her　arms　for　the　last　time；
bids　adieu　to　the　pleasant　pictures　of　the　past；　and　sends　her　child
from　her　parents'　house　to　go　out　into　the　world　and　seek　a　new
home。　Painful　always　is　such　an　hour　to　a　mother's　heart；　for　the
future　is　uncertain；　no　one　knows　any　thing　about　the　new
vicissitudes　that　may　arise。

And　painful；　too；　to　the　wife　of　Councillor　Bugeaud　was　this　parting
from　her　dearly…loved　daughter；　but　she　suppressed　her　deep　emotion；
restrained　the　tears　in　her　heart；　that　not　one　should　fall　upon　the
bridal　wreath　of　her　loved　daughter。　Tears　dropped　upon　the　bridal
wreath　are　the　heralds　of　coming　misfortune；　the　seal　of　pain　which
destiny　stamps　upon　the　brow　of　the　doomed　one。

And　the　tender　mother　would　so　gladly　have　taken　away　from　her　loved
Margaret　every　pain　and　every　misfortune！　The　times　were
threatening；　and　the　horizon　of　the　present　was　so　full　of　stormy
signs　that　it　was　necessary　to　look　into　the　future　with　hope。

〃Go；　my　daughter；〃　said　Madame　Bugeaud；　with　a　smile；　regarding
which　only　God　knew　how　much　it　cost　the　mother's　heart〃　go　out
into　your　new　world；　be　happy；　and　may　you　never　regret　the　moment
when　yon　left　the　threshold　of　your　father's　house　to　enter　a　new
home！〃

〃My　dear　mother；〃　cried　Margaret；　with　beaming　eyes；　〃the　house　to
which　I　am　going　is　the　house　of　him　I　love；　and　my　new　home　is　his
heart；　which　is　noble；　great；　and　good；　and　in　which　all　the
treasures　in　the　earth　for　me　rest。〃

〃God　grant；　my　daughter；　that　you　may　after　many　years　be　able　to
repeat　those　words！〃

〃I　shall　repeat　them；　mother；　for　in　my　heart　is　a　joyful　trust。　I
can　never　be　unhappy；　for　Toulan　loves　me。　But；　hark！　I　hear　him
coming；　it　is　his　step；　and　listen！　he　is　calling　me！〃

And　the　young　girl；　with　reddening　cheeks；　directed　her　glowing　eyes
to　the　door；　which　just　then　opened；　where　appeared　her　lover；　in　a
simple；　dark；　holiday…suit；　with　a　friendly；　grave　countenance；　his
tender；　beaming　eyes　turned　toward　his　affianced。

He　hastened　to　her；　and　kissed　the　little　trembling　hand　which　was
extended　to　him。

〃All　the　wedding　guests　are　ready；　my　love。　The　carriages　are
waiting；　and　as　soon　as　we　enter　the　church　the　clergyman　will
advance　to　the　altar　to　perform　the　ceremony。〃

〃Then　let　us　go；　Louis；〃　said　Margaret；　nodding　to　him；　and　arm…in…
arm　they　went　to　the　door。

But　Toulan　held　back。　〃Not　yet；　my　dear　one。　Before　we　go　to　the
church；　I　want　to　have　a　few　words　with　you。〃

〃That　is　to　say；　my　dear　sir；　that　you　would　like　to　have　me
withdraw；〃　said　the　mother；　with　a　smile。　〃Do　not　apologize；　my　son；
that　is　only　natural；　and　I　dare　not　be　jealous。　My　daughter　belongs
to　you；　and　I　have　no　longer　the　right　to　press　into　your　secrets。
So　I　will　withdraw；　and　only　God　may　hear　what　the　lover　has　to　say
to　his　affianced　before　the　wedding。〃

She　nodded　in　friendly　fashion　to　the　couple；　and　left　the　room。

〃We　are　now　alone；　my　Margaret；〃　said　Toulan；　putting　his　arm　around
the　neck　of　the　fair　young　maiden；　and　drawing　her　to　himself。　〃Only
God　is　to　hear　what　I　have　to　say　to　you。〃

〃I　hope；　Louis；〃　whispered　the　young　girl；　trembling；　〃I　hope　it　is
not　bad　news　that　you　want　to　tell　me。　Your　face　is　so　grave；　your
whole　look　so　solemn。　You　love　me　still；　Louis？〃

〃Yes；　Margaret；　I　do　love　you；〃　answered　he；　softly；　〃but　yet；
before　you　speak　the　word　which　binds　you　to　me　forever；　I　must　open
my　whole　heart　to　you；　and　you　must　know　all　I　feel；　in　order　that；
if　there　is　a　future　to　prove　us；　we　may　meet　it　with　fixed　gaze　and
joyful　spirit。〃

〃My　God！　what　have　I　to　hear？〃　whispered　the　young　girl；　pressing
her　hand　to　her　heart；　that　began　to　beat　with　unwonted　violence。

〃You　will　have　to　hear；　my　Margaret；　that　I　love　you；　and　yet　that
the　image　of　another　woman　is　cherished　in　my　heart。〃

〃Who　is　this　other　woman？〃　cried　Margaret。

〃Margaret；　it　is　Queen　Marie　Antoinette。〃

The　girl　breathed　freely；　and　laughed。　〃Ah！　how　you　frightened　me；
Louis。　I　was　afraid　you　were　going　to　name　a　rival；　and　now　you
mention　her　whom　I；　too；　love　and　honor；　to　whom　I　pay　my　whole
tribute　of　admiration；　and　who；　although　you　ought　to　live　there
alone；　has　a　place　in　my　heart。　I　shall　never　be　jealous　of　the
queen。　I　love　her　just　as　devotedly　as　you　do。〃

A　light；　sympathetic　smile　played　upon　the　lips　of　Toulan。　〃No；
Margaret；〃　said　he；　gravely；　〃you　do　not　love　her　as　I　do；　and　you
cannot；　for　your　duty　to　her　is　not　like　mine。　Listen；　my　darling；
and　I　will　tell　you　a　little　storya　story　which　is　so　sacred　to　me
that　it　has　never　passed　over　my　lips；　although；　according　to　the
ways　of　human　thinking；　there　is　nothing　so　very　strange　about　it。
Come；　my　dear；　sit　down　with　me　a　little　while；　and　listen　to　me。〃

He　led　the　maiden　to　the　little　divan；　and　took　a　place　with　her
upon　it。　Her　hand　lay　within　his；　and　with　a　joyful　and　tender　look
she　gaz