"I will tell them
that they have been deceived. I will give them my royal word that I
have no hostile designs whatever against Paris."
General Lafayette sighed, and dropped his head heavily upon his
breast.
"Do you counsel me not to do this?" asked the king, timidly.
"Sire," answered the general, with a shrug, "the people are now in
such an excited, unreasonable state, that words will no longer be
sufficient to satisfy them. Your majesty might assure them ever so
solemnly that you entertain no hostile intentions whatever against
Paris, and that you will not call outside help to your assistance,
and the exasperated people would mistrust your assurances! For in
all their rage the people have a distinct consciousness of the
crimes they are engaged in committing in creating this rebellion
against the crown, and they know that it were not human, that it
were divine, for your majesty to forgive such crimes, and therefore
they would not credit such forgiveness."
"How well General Lafayette knows how to interpret the thoughts of
this fanatical rabble, whom he calls 'the people!' "ejaculated the
queen, with a scornful laugh. At this instant a loud, thundering cry
was heard below, and thousands upon thousands of voices shouted,
"The king! We want to see the king!"
Louis's face lighted up.
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