marie antoinette and her son-第51章

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her。　When　he　turned　again　to　his　friend；　his　face　was　pale；　and　bore
plain　traces　of　emotion。

〃My　friend；〃　whispered　he　to　La　Marck；　〃I　know　not　why；　but　I　have　a
strange　feeling！　I　have　not　wept　since　the　day　on　which　my　father
drove　me　with　a　curse　from　the　house　of　my　ancestors；　but；　seeing
yonder　woman；　I　could　weep；　and　an　unspeakable　sympathy　fills　my
soul。〃

The　queen　had　seen　him；　too；　and　had　grown　pale；　and　turned
tremblingly　to　the　king；　who　stood　beside　her；　half　concealed　by　the
foliage。

〃There　is　the　dreadful　man！〃　said　Marie　Antoinette；　with　a　shudder。
〃My　God！　a　thrill　of　horror　creeps　through　all　my　veins；　and　if　I
only　look　at　this　monster；　I　have　a　feeling　as　though　I　should
sicken　with　loathing！〃　＇Footnote：　The　queen's　own　words。　See　〃Madame
du　Campan；〃　vol。　II。＇

〃Courage；　my　dear　Marie；　courage；〃　whispered　the　king。　〃Remember
that　the　welfare　of　our　future；　and　of　our　children；　perhaps；
depends　upon　this　interview。　See；　he　is　approaching。　Receive　him
kindly；　Marie。　I　will　draw　back；　for　you　alone　shall　have　the　honor
of　this　day；　and　monarchy　has　in　you　its　fairest　representative。〃

〃But　remain　so　near　me；　sire；　that　you　can　hear　me　if　I　call　for
help；〃　whispered　Marie　Antoinette。

The　king　smiled。　〃Fear　nothing；　Marie；〃　he　said；〃　and　believe　that
the　danger　for　Mirabeau　is　greater　than　for　you。　The　name　of
criminal　will　be　fastened　not　to　us；　but　to　Mirabeau；　if　it　shall　be
known　that　he　has　come　to　visit　us　here。　I　will　withdraw；　for　there
is　Mirabeau。〃

And　the　king　withdrew　into　the　thicket；　while　Mirabeau　stopped　near
the　queen；　and　saluted　her　with　a　profound　bow。

Marie　Antoinette　rose　from　her　marble　seat。　At　this　moment　she　was
not　the　queen　giving　an　audience；　but　the　anxious　lady；　advancing　to
meet　danger；　and　desirous　to　mitigate　it　by　politeness　and　smiles。

〃Come　nearer；　count；〃　said　Marie　Antoinette；　still　standing。　But　as
he　approached；　the　queen　sank　slowly　upon　the　seat；　and　raised　her
eyes　to　Mirabeau；　with　an　almost　timid　look；　who　now　did　not　seem　to
her　a　monster；　for　his　mien　was　disturbed；　and　his　eyes；　which　had
always　been　represented　as　so　fearful；　had　a　gentle；　respectful
expression。

〃Count；〃　said　the　queen；　and　her　voice　trembled　a　little　〃count；　if
I　found　myself　face　to　face　with　an　ordinary　enemy；　a　man　who　was
aiming　at　the　destruction　of　monarchy；　without　seeing　of　what　use　it
is　for　the　people；　I　should　be　taking　at　this　moment　a　very　useless
step。　But　when　one　talks　with　a　Mirabeau；　one　is　beyond　the　ordinary
conditions　of　prudence；　and　hope　of　his　assistance　is　blended　with
wonder　at　the　act。〃　＇Footnote：　The　queen's　own　words。See　〃Marie
Antoinette　et　sa　Famille〃　Par　M。　de　Lescure；　p。　484。＇

〃Madame；〃　cried　Mirabeau；　deeply　moved；　〃I　have　not　come　here　as
your　enemy；　but　as　your　devoted　servant；　who　is　ready　cheerfully　to
give　his　life　if　he　can　be　of　any　service　to　the　monarchy。〃

〃You　believe；　then；　that　it　is　a　question　of　life；　or；　if　you
prefer；　of　death；　which　stands　between　the　French　people　and　the
monarchy？〃　asked　the　queen；　sadly。

〃Yes；　I　am　convinced　of　that；〃　answered　Mirabeau。　〃But　I　still　hope
that　we　can　answer　the　question　in　favor　of　the　monarchy；　provided
that　the　right　means　are　applied　in　season。〃

〃And　what；　according　to　your　views；　are　the　right　means；　count？〃

Mirabeau　smiled　and　looked　with　amazement　into　the　noble　face　of　the
queen；　who；　with　such　easy　composure；　had　put　into　this　one　short
question　what　for　centuries　had　perplexed　the　greatest　thinkers　and
statesmen　to　answer。

〃Will　your　majesty　graciously　pardon　me　if　I　crave　permission；
before　I　answer；　to　put　a　question　in　like　manner　to　my　exalted
queen？〃

〃Ask　on；　count；〃　replied　Marie　Antoinette；　with　a　gentle　inclination
of　her　head。

〃Well；　madame；　this　is　my　question：　'Does　your　majesty　purpose　and
aim　at　the　reestablishment　of　the　old　regime；　and　do　you　deem　it
possible　to　roll　the　chariot　of　human　history　and　of　politics
backward？〃

〃You　have　in　your　question　given　the　answer　as　well；〃　said　Marie
Antoinette；　with　a　sigh。　〃It　is　impossible　to　reerect　the　same
edifice　out　of　its　own　ruins。　One　must　be　satisfied　if　out　of　them　a
house　can　be　built；　in　which　one　can　manage　to　live。〃

〃Ah；　your　majesty；〃　said　Mirabeau；　with　feeling；　〃this　answer　is　the
first　ray　of　light　which　breaks　through　the　heavy　storm…clouds！　The
new　day　can　be　descried　and　hailed　with　delight！　After　hearing　this
noble　answer　of　your　majesty；　I　look　up　comforted；　and　the　clouds　do
not　terrify　me　longer；　for　I　know　that　they　will　soon　be　pastthat
is；　if　we　employ　the　right　means。〃

〃And　now　I　repeat　my　question；　count；　What；　according　to　your　view；
are　the　right　means？〃

〃First　of　all；　the　recognition　of　what　is　wrong；〃　answered　Mirabeau；
〃and　then　the　cheerful　and　honest　will　to　do　what　is　found　to　be
necessary。〃

〃Well；　tell　me；　what　is　it　that　is　wrong？〃

Mirabeau　bowed；　and　then　began　to　speak　to　her　in　his　clear；　sharp
way；　which　was　at　the　same　time　so　full　of　energy；　of　the　situation
of　France；　the　relation　of　the　various　political　parties　to　one
another；　to　the　court；　and　the　throne。　In　strongly　outlined
sentences　he　characterized　the　chiefs　of　the　political　clubs；　the
leaders　of　the　parties　in　the　National　Assembly；　and　spoke　of　the
perilous　goal　which　the　demagogues；　the　men　of　the　extreme　Left；
aimed　at。　He　did　not；　from　delicacy；　speak　the　word　〃republican；〃
but　he　gave　the　queen　to　understand　that　the　destruction　of　the
monarchy　and　the　throne；　the　annihilation　of　the　royal　family；　was
the　ultimate　object　aimed　at　by　all　the　raving　orators　and　leaders
of　the　extreme　Left。

The　queen　had　listened　to　him　with　eager；　fixed　attention；　and；　at
the　same　time；　with　a　dignified　composure；　and　the　earnest；
thoughtful　look　of　her　large　eyes　had　penetrated　and　moved　Mirabeau
more　and　more；　so　that　his　words　came　from　his　lips　like　a　stream　of
fire；　and　kindled　a　new　hope　even　in　himself。

〃All　will　yet　be　well；〃　he　cried；　in　conclusion；　〃we　shall　succeed
in　contending　with　the　hidden　powers　that　wish　to　undermine　your
majesty's　throne；　and　to　take　from　the　hands　of　your　enemies　these
dangerous　weapons　of　destruction。　I　shall　apply　all　my　power；　all　my
eloquence　to　this。　I　will　oppose　the　undertakings　of　the　demagogues；
I　will　show　myself　to　be　their　public　opponent；　and　zealously　serve
the　monarchy；　making　use　of　all　such　means　of　help　as　are　adapted　to
move　men's　minds；　and　not　to　trouble　and　terrify　them；　as　if　freedom
and　self…government　were　to　be　taken　from　them；　and　yet　which　will
restore　the　credit　and　power　of　the　monarchy。〃

〃Are　you；　then；　with　honest　and　upright　heart；　a　friend　of　ours？〃
asked　Marie　Antoinette；　almost　supplicatingly。　〃Do　you　wish　to
assist　us；　and　stand　by　us；　with　your　counsel　and　help？〃

Mirabeau　met　her　inquisitive　and　anxious　look　with　a　cordial　smile；
a　noble　and　trustworthy　expression　of　face。　〃Madame；〃　he　said；　with
his　fine；　resonant　voice；　〃I　defended　monarchical　principles　when　I
saw　only　their　weakness；　and　when　I　did　not　know　the　soul　nor　the
thoughts　of　the　daughter　of　Maria　Theresa；　and　little　reckoned　upon
having　such　an　exalted　mediator。　I　contended　for　the　rights　of　the
throne　when　I　was　only　mistrusted；　when　calumny　dogged　all　my　steps；
and　declared　me　guilty　of　treachery！　I　served　the　monarchy；　then；
when　I　knew　that　from　my　rightful；　but　misled　king；　I　should　receive
neither　kindness　nor　reward。　What　shall　I　do　now；　when　confidence
animates　my　spirit；　and　gratitude　has　made　my　duties　run　directly　in
the　current　of　my　principles？　I　shall　be　and　remain　what　I　have
always　been；　the　defender　of　monarchy　governed　by　law；　the　apostle
of　liberty　guaranteed　by　the　monarchy。〃　＇Footnote：　Mirabeau's　own
words。See　〃Memoires　du　Comte　de　Mirabeau；〃　vol　III。；　p。　290。＇

〃I　believe　you；　count；〃　cried　Marie　Antoinette；　with　emotion。　〃You
will　serve　us　with　fidelity　and　zeal；　and　with　your　help　all　will
yet　be　well。　I　promise　yon　that　we　will　follow　your　counsels；　and
act　in　concord　with　you。　You　will　put　yourself　in　communication　with
the　king；　you　will　consult　him　about　needful　matters；　and　advise　him
about　the　things　which　are　essential　to　his　welfare　and　that　of　the
people。〃

〃Madame；〃　replied　Mirabeau；　〃I　take　the　liberty　of　adding　this　to
what　has　already　been　said。　The　most　necessary　thing　is　that　the
royal　court　leave　Paris　for　a　season！〃

〃That　we　flee？〃　asked　Marie　Antoinette；　hastily。　〃Not　flee；　but
withdraw；〃　answered　Mirabeau。　〃The　exasperated　people　menace　the
monarchy；　and　therefore　the　threatened　crown　must　for　a　while　be
concealed　from　the　people's　sight；　that　they　may　be　brought　back　to
a　sense　of　duty　and　loyalty。　And；　therefore；　I　do　not　say　that　the
court　must　flee；　I　only　say　it　must　leave　Paris；　for　Paris　is　the
furnace　of　the　revolution！　The　royal　court　must　withdraw；　as　soon　as
possible；　to　the　very　boundaries　of　France！　It　must　there　gather　an
army；　and　put　it　under　the　command　of　some　faithful　general；　and
with　this　army　march　against　the　riotous　capital；　and　I　will　be
there　to　smooth　the　way　and　open　the　gates！〃

〃I　thank　you；　count；　I　thank　you！〃　cried　Marie　Antoinette；　rising
from　her　seat。　〃Now；　I　doubt　no　more　about　the　future；　for　my　own
thoughts　coincide　with　those　of　our　greatest　statesmen！　I；　too；　am
convinced　the　court　ought　to　leave　Paristhat　it　must　withdraw；　in
order　to　escape　new　humiliations；　and　that　it　ought　to　return　only
in　the　splendor　of　its　power；　and　with　an　army　to　put　the　rebels　to
flight；　and　breathe　courage　into　the　timid　and　faithful。　Oh！　you
must　tell　the　king　all　this；　you　must　show　him　that　our　removal　from
Paris　is　not　only　a　means　of　salvation　to　the　crown；　but　to　the
people　as　well。　Your　words　will　convince　the　noblest　and　best　of
monarchs；　he　will　follow　your　counsels；　and；　thanks　to　you；　not　we
alone；　but　the　monarchy　will　be　saved！　No；　go　to　the　work；　count！　Be
active　in　our　behalf；　bring　your　unbounded　influence；　in　favor　of
the　king　and　queen；　to　bear　upon　all　spirits；　and　be　sure　that　we
shall　be　grateful　to　you　so　long　as　we　live。　Farewell；　and　remember
that　my　eye　will　follow　all　your　steps；　and　that　my　ears　will　hear
every　word　which　Mirabeau　shall　speak　in　the　National　Assembly。〃

Mirabeau　bowed　respectfully。　〃Madame；〃　said　he；　〃when　your　exalted
mother　condescended　to　favor　one　of　her　subjects　with　an　audience；
she　never　dismissed　him　without　permitting　the　favored　one
respectfully　to　kiss　her　hand。〃

〃It　is　true；〃　replied　Marie　Antoinette；　with　a　pleasant　smile；　〃and
in　this；　at　least；　I　can　follow　the　example　of　my　great　mother！〃

And；　with　inimitable　grace；　the　queen　extended　her　hand　to　him。
Mirabeau；　enraptured；　beside　himself　at　this　display　of　courtesy　and
favor；　dropped　upon　his　knee　and　pressed　his　lips　to　the　delicate；
white　hand　of　the　queen。

〃Madame；〃　cried　he；　with　warmth；　〃this　kiss　saves　the　monarchy！〃
＇Mirabeau's　own　words。See　〃Memoires　de　Mirabeau；〃　vol　iv。；　p。
208。＇

〃If　you　have　spoken　the　truth；　sir；〃　said　the　queen；　with　a　sigh；
rising　and　dismissing　him；　with　a　gentle　inclination　of　her　head。

With　excited　and　radiant　looks；　Mirabeau　returned　to　his　nephew；　who
was　waiting　for　him　at　the　ga