marie antoinette and her son-第39章

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mixed　mass　of　sounds；　cries；　and　the　tramping　as　of　hundreds　and
hundreds　of　men　coming　on。　Nearer　and　nearer　came　the　sound；　more
distinct　every　moment。　All　at　once　the　door　was　flung　open　on　the
other　side　of　the　Swiss　hall；　the　door　which　led　out；　and　Varicourt
appeared　in　it；　pushed　backward　by　the　raging；　howling　mass。　He
still　sought　to　resist　the　oncoming　tramp　of　these　savage　men；　and；
with　a　movement　like　lightning；　putting　his　weapon　across　the　door；
he　was　able　for　one　minute　to　hold　the　place　against　the　tidejust
so　long　as　the　arms　which　held　the　weapon　had　in　them　the　pulse　of
life！　Varicourt　looked　like　a　dying　man；　his　uniform　was　torn　and
cut；　his　face　deathly　pale；　and　on　one　side　disfigured　by　the　blood
which　was　streaming　down　from　a　broad　wound　in　his　forehead。

〃It　is　time；　it　is　time！〃　he　cried；　with　a　loud　tremulous　voice；
and；　as　he　saw　for　an　instant　the　face　of　Campan　at　the　opposite
door；　a　flash　of　joy　passed　over　his　face。

〃Save　the　queen！　They　will　murder　her！〃　＇Varicourt's　last　words。
See　〃Memoires　de　Madame　de　Campan；〃　vol。　ii。；　p。　77。　＇

Madame　de　Campan　hastily　closed　the　door；　drew　the　great　bolt；　and
then　sprang　through　the　antechamber　into　the　waiting…room；　and
bolted　its　door　too。　Then；　after　she　had　done　thatafter　she　had
raised　this　double　wall　between　the　sleeping　queen　and　the　raging
mobshe　sank　upon　her　knees　like　one　who　was　utterly　crushed；　and
raised　her　folded　hands　to　heaven。

〃Have　mercy　on　his　soul；　O　God！　take　him　graciously　to　heaven！〃
whispered　she；　with　trembling　lips。

〃For　whom　are　you　praying？〃　asked　the　two　women；　in　low　voices；
hurrying　up　to　her。　〃Who　is　dead？〃

〃Mr。　Varicourt；〃　answered　Campan；　with　a　sigh。　〃I　heard　his　death…
cry；　as　I　was　bolting　the　door　of　the　antechamber。　But　we　cannot
stop　to　weep　and　lament。　We　must　save　the　queen！〃

And　she　sprang　up　from　her　knees；　flew　through　the　room；　and　opened
the　door　leading　to　the　queen's　chamber。

At　that　moment　a　fearful　crash　was　heard；　then　a　loud　shout　of
triumph　in　the　outer　antechamber。

〃The　queen！　We　want　the　heart　of　the　queen！〃

〃They　have　broken　down　the　door　of　the　antechamberthey　are　in　the
waiting…room！〃　whispered　Campan。　〃There　is　no　time　to　be　lost。　Come；
friends；　come！〃

And　she　hastened　to　the　bed　of　the　queen；　who　was　still　lying　in
that　heavy；　unrefreshing　sleep　which　usually　follows　exhaustion　and
intense　excitement。

〃Your　majesty；　your　majesty；　wake！〃

〃What　is　it；　Campan？〃　asked　Marie　Antoinette；　opening　her　eyes；　and
hastily　sitting　up　in　bed。　〃Why　do　you　waken　me？　What　has　happened？〃

The　fearful　sounds　without；　the　crashing　of　the　door　of　the　little
waiting…room；　gave　answer。　The　rough；　hard　voices　of　the　exasperated
women；　separated　now　from　the　queen　by　only　one　thin　door；　quickly
told　all　that　had　happened。

Marie　Antoinette　sprang　from　her　bed。　〃Dress　me　quick；　quick！〃

〃Impossible！　There　is　no　time。　Only　hear　how　the　gunstocks　beat
against　the　door！　They　will　break　it　down；　and　then　your　majesty　is
lost！　The　clothes　on　without　stopping　to　fasten　them！　Now　fly；　your
majesty；　fly！　Through　the　side…door…through　the　OEil　de　Boeuf！〃

Madame　de　Campan　went　in　advance；　the　two　women　supported　the　queen
and　carried　her　loose　clothes；　and　then　they　flew　on　through　the
still　and　deserted　corridors　to　the　sleeping…room　of　the　king。

It　was　emptyno　one　there！

〃O　God！　Campan；　where　is　the　king？　I　must　go　to　him。　My　place　is　by
his　side！　Where　is　the　king？〃

〃Here　I　am；　Marie；　here！〃　cried　the　king；　who　just　then　entered　and
saw　the　eager；　anxious　face　of　his　wife。　〃I　hurried　to　save　our　most
costly　possessions！〃

He　laid　the　dauphin；　only　half　awake；　and　lying　on　his　breast；　in
the　arms　which　Marie　Antoinette　extended　to　him；　and　then　led　her
little　daughter　to　her；　who　had　been　brought　in　by　Madame　Tourzel。

〃Now；〃　said　the　king；　calmly；　〃now　that　I　have　collected　my　dearest
treasures；　I　will　go　and　see　what　is　going　on。〃

But　Marie　Antoinette　held　him　back。　〃There　is　destruction；
treachery；　and　murder　outside。　Crime　may　break　in　here　and　overwhelm
us；　but　we　ought　not　to　go　out　and　seek　it。〃

〃Well；〃　said　the　king；　〃we　will　remain　here　and　await　what　comes。〃
And　turning　to　his　valet；　who　was　then　entering；　Louis　continued：
〃Bring　me　my　chocolate；　I　want　to　take　advantage　of　the　time　to
breakfast；　for　I　am　hungry！〃

〃Sire；　now？　shall　we　breakfast　now？〃　asked　the　queen；　amazed。

〃Why　not？〃　answered　Louis　calmly。　〃If　the　body　is　strengthened；　we
look　at　every　thing　more　composedly　and　confidently。　You　must　take
breakfast　too；　Marie；　for　who　knows　whether　we　shall　find　time　for
some　hours　after　this？〃

〃I！　oh；　I　need　no　breakfast；〃　cried　Marie　Antoinette；　and　as　she　saw
Louis　eagerly　taking　a　cup　of　chocolate　from　the　hands　of　a　valet；
and　was　going　to　enjoy　it；　she　turned　away　to　repress　the　tears　of
anger　and　pain　which　in　spite　of　herself　pressed　into　her　eyes。

〃Mamma　queen；〃　cried　the　dauphin；　who　was　yet　in　her　arms；　〃I　should
like　my　breakfast　too。　My　chocolateI　should　like　my　chocolate
too！〃

The　queen　compelled　herself　to　smile；　carried　the　child　to　its
father；　and　softly　set　him　down　on　the　king's　knee。

〃Sire；〃　said　she；　〃will　the　King　of　France　teach　his　son　to　take
breakfast；　while　revolution　is　thundering　without；　and　breaking
down；　with　treasonable　hands；　the　doors　of　the　royal　palace？　Campan；
come　herehelp　me　arrange　my　toilet；　I　want　to　prepare　myself　to
give　audience　to　revolution！〃

And　withdrawing　to　a　corner　of　the　room；　the　queen　finished　her
toilet；　for　which　her　women　fortunately　had　in　their　flight　brought
the　materials。

While　the　queen　was　dressing　and　the　king　breakfasting　with　the
children；　the　cabinet　of　the　king　began　to　fill。　All　Louis's
faithful　servants；　then　the　ministers　and　some　of　the　deputies；　had
hurried　to　the　palace　to　be　at　the　side　of　the　king　and　queen　at　the
hour　of　danger。

Every　one　of　them　brought　new　tidings　of　horror。　St。　Priest　told　how
he；　entering　the　Swiss　room；　at　the　door　leading　into　the
antechamber　of　the　queen；　had　seen　the　body　of　Varicourt　covered
with　wounds。　The　Duke　de　Liancourt　had　seen　a　dreadful　man；　of
gigantic　size；　with　heavy　beard；　the　arms　of　his　blouse　rolled　up
high；　and　bearing　a　heavy　hatchet…knife　in　his　hand；　springing　upon
the　person　of　the　faithful　Swiss；　in　order　to　sever　his　head　from
his　body。　The　Count　de　Borennes　had　seen　the　corpse　of　the　Swiss
officer；　Baron　de　Deshuttes；　who　guarded　the　iron　gate；　and　whom　the
people　murdered　as　they　entered。　The　Marquis　de　Croissy　told　of　the
heroism　with　which　another　Swiss；　Miomandre　of　St。　Marie；　had
defended　the　door　between　the　suites　of　the　king　and　queen；　and　had
gained　time　to　draw　the　bolt　and　barricade　the　door。　And　during　all
these　reports；　and　while　the　cabinet　was　filling　more　and　more　with
pale　men　and　women；　the　king　went　composedly　on　dispatching　his
breakfast。

The　queen；　who　had　long　before　completed　her　toilet；　now　went　up　to
him；　and　with　gentle；　tremulous　voice　conjured　him　to　declare　what
should　be　doneto　come　at　last　out　of　this　silence；　and　to　speak
and　act　worthy　of　a　king。

Louis　shrugged　his　shoulders　and　set　the　replenished　cup　which　he
was　just　lifting　to　his　mouth；　on　the　silver　waiter。　At　once　the
queen　beckoned　to　the　valet　Hue　to　come　up。

〃Sir；〃　said　she；　commandingly；　〃take　these　things　out。　The　king　has
finished　his　breakfast。〃

Louis　sighed；　and　with　his　eye　followed　the　valet；　who　was　carrying
the　breakfast　into　the　garde…robe。

〃Now；　sire；〃　whispered　Marie　Antoinette；　〃show　yourself　a　king。〃

〃My　love；〃　replied　the　king；　quietly；　〃it　is　very　hard　to　show
myself　a　king　when　the　people　do　not　choose　to　regard　me　as　one。
Only　hear　that　shouting　and　yelling；　and　then　tell　me　what　I　can　do
as　a　king　to　bring　these　mad　men　to　peace　and　reason？〃

〃Sire；　raise　your　voice　as　king；　tell　them　that　you　will　avenge　the
crimes　of　this　night；　take　the　sword　in　your　hand　and　defend　the
throne　of　your　fathers　and　the　throne　of　your　son；　and　then　you　will
see　these　rebels　retire；　and　you　will　collect　around　you　men　who
will　be　animated　with　fresh　courage；　and　who　will　take　new　fire　from
your　example。　Oh；　sire；　disregard　now　the　pleadings　of　your　noble；
gentle　heart；　show　yourself　firm　and　decided。　Have　no　leniency　for
traitors　and　rebels！〃

〃Tell　me　what　I　shall　do；〃　murmured　the　king；　with　a　sigh。

Marie　Antoinette　stooped　down　to　his　ear。　〃Sire；〃　whispered　she；
〃send　at　once　to　Vincennes；　and　the　other　neighboring　places。　Order
the　troops　to　come　hither；　collect　an　army；　put　yourself　at　its
head；　march　on　Paris；　declare　war　on　the　rebellious　capital；　and　you
will　march　as　conqueror　into　your　recaptured　city。　Oh；　only　no
yielding；　no　submission！　Only　give　the　order；　sire；　say　that　you
will　do　so；　and　I　will　summon　one　of　my　faithful　ones　to　give　him
orders　to　hasten　to　Vincennes。〃

And　while　the　queen　whispered　eagerly　to　the　king；　her　flashing
glance　sped　across　to　Toulan；　who；　in　the　tumult；　had　found　means　to
come　in；　and　now　looked　straight　at　the　queen。　Now；　as　her　glance
came　to　him　as　an　unspoken　command；　he　made　his　way　irresistibly
forward　through　the　crowd　of　courtiers；　ministers；　and　ladies；　and
now　stood　directly　behind　the　queen。

〃Has　your　majesty　orders　for　me？〃　he　asked；　softly。　She　looked
anxiously　at　the　king；　waiting　for　an　answer；　an　order。　But　the　king
was　dumb；　in　order　not　to　answer　his　wife；　he　drew　the　dauphin
closer　to　him　and　caressed　him。

〃Has　your　majesty　commands　for　me？〃　asked　Toulan　once　more。

Marie　Antoinette　turned　to　him；　her　eyes　suffused　with　tears；　and
let　Toulan　see　her　face　darkened　with　grief　and　despair。

〃No；〃　she　whispered；　〃I　have　only　to　obey；　I　have　no　commands　to
give！〃

〃Lafayette；〃　was　now　heard　in　the　corridor〃General　Lafayette　is
coming！〃

The　queen　advanced　with　hasty　steps　toward　the　entering　general。

〃Sir；〃　she　cried；　〃is　this　the　peace　and　security　that　you　promised
us；　and　for　which　you　pledged　your　word？　Hear　that　shouting　without；
see　us　as　if　beleaguered　here；　and　then　tell　me　how　it　agrees　with
the　assurances　which　you　made　to　me！〃

〃Madame；　I　have　been　myself　deceived；〃　answered　Lafayette。　〃The　most
sacred　promises　were　made　to　me；　all　my　requests　and　propositions
were　yielded　to。　I　succeeded　in　pacifying　the　crowd；　and　I　really
believed　and　hoped　that　they　would　continue　quiet；　that

〃Sir；〃　interrupted　the　queen；　impatiently；　〃Whom　do　you　mean　by
'they？'　Of　whom　are　you　speaking　in　such　tones　of　respect？〃

〃Madame；　I　am　speaking　of　the　people；　with　whom　I　came　to　an
understanding；　and　who　promised　me　to　keep　the　peace；　and　to　respect
the　slumbers　of　your　majesty。〃

〃You　are　not　speaking　of　the　people；　but　of　the　rebels；　the
agitators；〃　cried　Marie　Antoinette；　with　flashing　eyes。　〃You　speak
of　high　traitors；　who　break　violently　into　the　palace　of　the　king；
of　murderers；　who　have　destroyed　two　of　our　faithful　subjects。　Sir；
it　is　of　such　crime　that　you　speak　with　respect；　it　is　with　such　a
rabble　that　you　have　dealt；　instead　of　ordering　your　soldiers　to　cut
them　down。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　Lafayette；　turning　pale；　〃had　I　attempted　to　do　that；
your　majesty　would　not　have　found