Many of the royal
soldiers have made common cause with the people, and walk arm in arm
with them around the square."
"And what do these dreadful men want?" asked Campan. "Why do they
encamp around the palace? What is their object?"
Mr. Varicourt sadly bowed his head, and a loud sigh came from his
courageous breast. "They want what they shall never have while I am
alive," he then said, with a decided look. "I have sworn fidelity to
the king and queen, and I shall keep it to death. My duty calls me,
for the hour of changing guards is near, and my post is below at the
great staircase which leads up here. We shall meet at daylight, if I
am then alive. But till then we shall do our duty. I shall guard the
grand staircase, do you guard the sleeping-room of the queen."
"Yes, we will do our duty," answered Madame de Campan, extending her
hand to him. "We will watch over those to whom we have devoted
ourselves, and to whom we have vowed fidelity. No one shall pass
into the chamber of the queen while we are alive, shall there?"
"Never," replied both of the women, with courageous decision.
"And no one shall ascend the great staircase so long as I live,"
said Varicourt. "Adieu now, ladies, and listen carefully to every
sound. If a voice calls to you, 'It is time,' wake the queen and
save her, for danger will then be right upon her.
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