Here is the first letter of the queen."
He drew a pocket-book from his robe, took from it a small folded
paper, and laid it upon the table before the president.
The president opened it and read: "I have received your brief, and
am delighted to find you no longer culpable; in the mean while, I am
sorry not to be able to give you the audience which you ask. As
soon, however, as circumstances allow me, I shall inform you; till
then, silence. Marie Antoinette of France." [Footnote: Goncourt.--
"Histoire de Marie Antoinette," p. 143.]
A murmur of astonishment arose among the judges after this reading,
and all looks were directed with deep sympathy to the cardinal, who,
with a quiet, modest bearing, stood over against them. The glances
of the president of the high court, directed themselves, after he
had read the letter and laid it upon the green table, to the great
dignitary of the Church, and then he seemed to notice for the first
time that the cardinal, a prince and grand almoner of the King of
Prance, was standing like a common criminal.
"Give the lord cardinal an arm-chair," he ordered, with a loud
voice, and one of the guards ran to bring one of the broad,
comfortable chairs of the judges, which was just then unoccupied,
and carried it to the cardinal.
Prince Rohan thanked the judges with a slight inclination of his
proud head, and sank into the arm-chair.
Pages:
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140