marie antoinette and her son-第30章

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words　charged　with　poison　of　wickedness　and　hate；　the　tears　coursed
slowly　over　her　cheeks；　and　once　in　a　while　a　convulsive　gasp　forced
itself　from　her　breast。

Brienne　pitied　the　deep　sorrow　of　the　queen。　He　begged　her　to
discontinue　this　sad　perusal。　He　wanted　to　gather　up　again　the
contumelious　writings；　but　Marie　Antoinette　held　his　hand　back。

〃I　must　know　every　thing；　every　thing；〃　said　she。　〃Go　on　bringing　me
every　thing；　and　do　not　be　hindered　by　my　tears。　It　is　of　course
natural　that　I　am　sensitive　to　the　evil　words　that　are　spoken　about
me；　and　to　the　bad　opinion　that　is　cherished　toward　me　by　a　people
that　I　love；　and　to　win　whose　love　I　am　prepared　to　make　every
sacrifice。〃　＇Footnote：　The　queen's　own　words。See　Malleville；
〃Histoire　de　Marie　Antoinette；〃　p。　197＇

At　this　moment　the　door　of　the　cabinet　was　dashed　open　without
ceremony；　and　the　Duchess　de　Polignac　entered。

〃Forgiveness！　your　majesty；　forgiveness　that　I　have　ventured　to
disturb　you；　but〃

〃What　is　it？〃　cried　the　queen；　springing　up。　〃You　come　to　announce
misfortune　to　me；　duchess。　It　concerns　the　dauphin；　does　it　not？　His
illness　has　increased？〃

〃Yes；　your　majesty；　cramps　have　set　in；　and　the　physicians　fear　the
worst。〃

〃O　God！　O　God！〃　cried　the　queen；　raising　both　her　hands　to　heaven；
〃is　every　misfortune　to　beat　down　upon　me？　I　shall　lose　my　son；　my
dear　child！　Here　I　sit　weeping　pitiful　tears　about　the　malice　of　my
enemies；　and　all　this　while　my　child　is　wrestling　in　the　pains　of
death！　Farewell；　sir；　I　must　go　to　my　child。〃

And　the　queen；　forgetting　every　thing　else；　thinking　only　of　her
childthe　sick；　dying　dauphinhurried　forward；　dashing　through　the
room　with　such　quick　step　that　the　duchess　could　scarcely　follow
her。

〃Is　he　dead？〃　cried　Marie　Antoinette　to　the　servant　standing　in　the
antechamber　of　the　dauphin。　She　did　not　await　the　reply；　but　burst
forward；　hastily　opened　the　door　of　the　sick…room；　and　entered。

There　upon　the　bed；　beneath　the　gold…fringed　canopy；　lay　the　pale；
motionless　boy；　with　open；　staring　eyes；　with　parched　lips；　and
wandering　mindand　it　was　her　child；　it　was　the　Dauphin　of　France。

Around　his　bed　stood　the　physicians；　the　quickly…summoned　priests；
and　the　servants；　looking　with　sorrowful　eyes　at　the　poor；　deathly…
pale　creature　that　was　now　no　more　than　a　withered　flower；　a　son　of
dust　that　must　return　to　dust；　then　they　looked　sadly　at　the　pale；
trembling　wife　who　crouched　before　the　bed；　and　who　now　was　nothing
more　than　a　sorrow…stricken　mother；　who　must　bow　before　the　hand　of
Fate；　and　feel　that　she　had　no　more　power　over　life　and　death　than
the　meanest　of　her　subjects。

She　bent　over　the　bed；　she　put　her　arms　tenderly　around　the　little
shrunken　form　of　the　poor　child　that　had　long　been　sick；　and　that
was　now　confronting　death。　She　covered　the　pale　face　of　her　son　with
kisses；　and　watered　it　with　her　tears。

And　these　kisses；　these　tears　of　his　mother；　awakened　the　child　out
of　his　stupor；　and　called　him　back　to　life。　The　Dauphin　Louis　roused
up　once　more；　raised　his　great　eyes；　and；　when　he　saw　the
countenance　of　his　mother　above　him　bathed　in　tears；　he　smiled　and
sought　to　raise　his　head　and　move　his　hand　to　greet　her。　But　Death
had　already　laid　his　iron　bands　upon　him；　and　held　him　back　upon　the
couch　of　his　last　sufferings。

〃Are　you　in　pain；　my　child？〃　whispered　Marie　Antoinette；　kissing　him
affectionately。　〃Are　you　suffering？〃

The　boy　looked　at　her　tenderly。　〃I　do　not　suffer；〃　he　whispered　so
softly　that　it　sounded　like　the　last　breath　of　a　departing　spirit。
〃I　only　suffer　if　I　see　you　weep；　mamma。〃　＇Footnote：　The　very　words
of　the　dying　dauphin。See　Weber；　〃Memoires；〃　vol。　L；　p。　209。＇

Marie　Antoinette　quickly　dried　her　tears；　and；　kneeling　near　the
bed；　found　power　in　her　motherly　love　to　summon　a　smile　to　her　lips；
in　order　that　the　dauphin；　whose　eyes　remained　fixed　upon　her；　might
not　see　that　she　was　suffering。

A　deep　silence　prevailed　now　in　the　apartment；　nothing　was　heard　but
the　gently…whispered　prayers　of　the　spectators；　and　the　slow；
labored　breathing　of　the　dying　child。

Once　the　door　was　lightly　opened；　and　a　man's　figure　stole　lightly
in；　advanced　on　tiptoe　to　the　bed；　and　sank　on　his　knees　close　by
Marie　Antoinette。　It　was　the　king；　who　had　just　been　summoned　from
the　council…room　to　see　his　son　die。

And　now　with　a　loud　voice　the　priest　began　the　prayers　for　the
dying；　and　all　present　softly　repeated　them。　Only　the　queen　could
not；　her　eyes　were　fastened　upon　her　son；　who　now　saw　her　no　more；
for　his　eyes　were　fixed　in　the　last　death…struggle。

Still　one　last　gasp；　one　last　breath；　then　came　a　cry　from　Marie
Antoinette's　lips；　and　her　head　sank　upon　the　hand　of　her　son；　which
rested　in　her　own；　and　which　was　now　stiff。　A　few　tears　coursed
slowly　over　the　cheeks　of　the　king；　and　his　hands；　folded　in　prayer；
trembled。

The　priest　raised　his　arms；　and　with　a　loud；　solemn　voice　cried：
〃The　Lord　gave；　the　Lord　hath　taken　away；　blessed　be　the　name　of　the
Lord。　Amen。〃

〃Amen；　amen；〃　whispered　all　present。

〃Amen；〃　said　the　king；　closing　with　gentle　pressure　the　open　eyes　of
his　son。　〃God　has　taken　you　to　Himself；　my　son；　perhaps　because　He
wanted　to　preserve　you　from　much　trouble　and　sorrow。　Blessed　be　His
name！〃

But　the　queen　still　bowed　over　the　cold　face　of　the　child；　and
kissed　his　lips。　〃Farewell；　my　son；〃　she　whispered；　〃farewell！　Ah！；
why　could　I　not　die　with　youwith　you　fly　from　this　pitiful；
sorrow…stricken　world？〃

Then；　as　if　the　queen　regretted　the　words　which　the　mother　had
spoken　with　sighs；　Marie　Antoinette　rose　from　her　knees　and　turned
to　the　priest；　who　was　sprinkling　the　corpse　of　the　dauphin　with
holy　water。

〃Father；〃　said　she；　〃the　children　of　poor　parents；　who　may　be　born
to…day　in　Versailles；　are　each　to　receive　from　me　the　sum　of　a
thousand　francs。　I　wish　that　the　death…bed　of　my　son　may　be　a　day　of
joy　for　the　poor　who　have　not；　like　me；　lost　a　child；　but　gained
one；　and　that　the　lips　of　happy　mothers　may　bless　the　day　on　which
my　boy　died。　Have　the　goodness　to　bring　me　to…morrow　morning　a　list
of　the　children　born　to…day。〃

〃Come；　Marie；〃　said　the　king；　〃the　body　of　our　son　belongs　no　more
to　the　living；　but　to　the　grave　of　out　ancestors　in　St。　Denis；　his
soul　to　God。　The　dauphin　is　dead！　Long　live　the　dauphin！　Madame　de
Polignac；　conduct　the　dauphin　to　us　in　the　cabinet　of　his　mother。〃

And　with　the　proud　and　dignified　bearing　which　was　peculiar　to　the
king　in　great　and　momentous　epochs；　he　extended　his　arm　to　the　queen
and　conducted　her　out　of　the　death…chamber；　and　through　the　adjacent
apartments；　to　her　cabinet。

〃Ah！〃　cried　the　queen；　〃here　we　are　alone；　here　I　can　weep　for　my
poor　lost　child。〃

And　she　threw　her　arms　around　the　neck　of　her　husband；　and；　leaning
her　head　upon　his　breast；　wept　aloud。

The　king　pressed　her　closely　to　his　heart；　and　the　tears　which
flowed　from　his　own　eyes　fell　in　hot　drops　upon　the　head　of　the
queen。

Neither　saw　the　door　beyond　lightly　open；　and　the　Duchess　de
Polignac　appear　there。　But　when　she　saw　the　royal　pair　in　close
embrace；　when　she　heard　their　loud　weeping；　she　drew　back；　stooped
down　to　the　little　boy　who　stood　by　her　side；　whispered　a　few　words
to　him；　and；　while　gently　pushing　him　forward；　drew　back　herself；
and　gently　closed　the　door　behind　them。　The　little　fellow　stood　a
moment　irresolutely　at　the　door；　fixing　his　eyes　now　upon　his　father
and　mother；　now　upon　the　nosegay　of　violets　and　roses　which　he
carried　in　his　hand。　The　little　Louis　Charles　was　of　that　sweet　and
touching　beauty　that　brings　tears　into　one's　eyes；　and　fills　the
heart　with　sadness；　because　the　thought　cannot　be　suppressed；　that
life；　with　its　rough；　wintry　storms；　will　have　no　pity　on　this
tender　blossom　of　innocence；　and　that　the　beaming；　angel…face　of　the
child　must　one　day　be　changed　into　the　clouded；　weather…beaten；
furrowed　face　of　the　man。　A　cheering　sight　to　look　upon　was　the
little；　delicate　figure　of　the　four…year…old　boy；　pleasing　in　his
whole　appearance。　Morocco　boots；　with　red　tips；　covered　his　little
feet；　broad　trousers；　of　dark…blue　velvet；　came　to　his　knees；　and
were　held　together　at　the　waist　by　a　blue　silk　sash；　whose　lace…
tipped　ends　fell　at　his　left　side。　He　wore　a　blue　velvet　jacket；
with　a　tastefully　embroidered　lace　ruffle　around　the　neck。　The
round；　rosy　face；　with　the　ruby　lips；　the　dimple　in　the　chin；　the
large　blue　eyes；　shaded　by　long；　dark　lashes；　and　crowned　by　the
broad；　lofty　brow；　was　rimmed　around　with　a　profusion　of　golden
hair；　which　fell　in　long；　heavy　locks　upon　his　shoulders　and　over
his　neck。　The　child　was　as　beautiful　to　look　upon　as　one　of　the
angels　in　Raphael's　〃Sistine　Madonna；〃　and　he　might　have　been　taken
for　one；　had　it　not　been　for　the　silver…embroidered；　brilliant　star
upon　his　left　side。　This　star；　which　designated　his　princely　rank；
was　for　the　pretty　child　the　seal　of　his　mortalitythe　seal　which
ruin　had　already　impressed　upon　his　innocent　child's　breast。

One　moment　the　boy　stood　indecisively　there；　looking　at　his　weeping
parents；　then　he　turned　quickly　forward；　and；　holding　up　his
nosegay；　he　said：　〃Mamma；　I　have　brought　you　some　flowers　from　my
garden。〃

Marie　Antoinette　raised　her　head；　and　smiled　through　her　tears　as
she　looked　at　her　son。　The　king　loosened　his　embrace　from　the　queen；
in　order　to　lift　up　the　prince。

〃Marie；〃　said　he；　holding　him　up　to　his　wife；　〃Marie；　this　is　our
sonthis　is　the　Dauphin　of　France。〃

Marie　Antoinette　took　his　head　between　her　hands；　and　looked　long；
with　tears　in　her　eyes；　and　yet　smiling　all　the　while；　into　the
lovely；　rosy　face　of　her　boy。　Then　she　stooped　down；　and　impressed　a
long；　tender　kiss　upon　his　smooth　forehead。

〃God　love　you；　my　child！〃　said　she；　solemnly。　〃God　bless　you；
Dauphin　of　France！　May　the　storms　which　now　darken　our　horizon；　have
long　been　past　when　you　shall　ascend　the　throne　of　your　fathers！　God
bless　and　defend　you；　Dauphin　of　France！〃

〃But；　mamma；〃　asked　the　boy；　timidly；　〃why　do　you　call　me　dauphin
to…day？　I　am　your　little　Louis；　and　I　am　called　Duke　de　Normandy。〃

〃My　son；〃　said　the　king；　solemnly；　〃God　has　been　pleased　to　give　you
another　name　and　another　calling。　Your　poor　brother；　Louis；　has　left
us　forever。　He　has　gone　to　God；　and　you　are　now　Dauphin　of　France！〃

〃And　God　grant　that　it　be　for　your　good；〃　said　the　queen；　with　a
sigh。

The　little　prince　slowly　shook　his　locks。　〃It　certainly　is　not　for
my　good；〃　said　he；　〃else　mamma　would　not　weep。〃

〃She　is　weeping；　my　child；〃　said　the　queen〃　she　is　weeping；
because　your　brother；　who　was　the　dauphin；　has　left　us。〃

〃And　will　he　never　come　back？〃　asked　the　child；　eagerly。

〃No；　Louis；　he　never　will　come　back。〃

The　boy　threw　both　his　arms　around　the　neck　of　the　queen。　〃Ah！〃　he
cried；　〃how　can　any　one　ever　leave　his　dear　mamma　and　never　come
back？　I　will　never　leave　you；　mamma！〃

〃I　pray　God　you　speak　the　truth；〃　sighed　the　queen；　pressing　him
tenderly　to　herself。　〃I　pray　God　I　may　die　before　you　both！〃

〃Not　before　meoh；　not　before　me！〃　ejaculated　the　king；　shuddering。
〃Without　you；　my　dear　one；　my　life　were　a　desert；　without　you；　the
King　of　France　were　the　poore