Hear also this: I
too, the Queen of France, command you to take your departure this
very hour."
The duke bowed low before the queen, who stood with pale cheeks, but
erect, and with a noble air.
"Your majesty has commanded, and it becomes us to obey. We shall
go."
The duchess sank, with a loud cry of grief, on her knee before the
queen, and buried her face in the royal robe.
Marie Antoinette did not disturb her, did not venture to speak to
her, for she knew that, with the first word which she should utter,
the pain of her heart would find expression on her lips, and she
would be composed; she would not let her friend see how severe the
sacrifice was which her love compelled her to make.
"Let me remain with you," implored the duchess, "do not drive me
from you, Marie, my Marie!"
The queen turned her great eyes upward, and her looks were a prayer
to God to give her power and steadfastness. Twice then she attempted
to speak, twice her voice refused to perform its duty, and she
remained silent, wrestling with her grief, and at last overcoming
it.
"Julia," she said--and with every word her voice became firmer and
stronger--" Julia, we must part. I should be doubly unhappy to draw
you and yours into my misfortunes; it will, in all my troubles, be a
consolation to me, that I have been able to save you.
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