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.
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