"
"It is my view, too," said Louis, calmly. "Then go, Lafayette, tell
the people that the king and queen, together with the dauphin and
the princess, will journey today to Paris."
The simple and easily spoken words had two very different effects in
the cabinet on those who heard them. Some faces lightened up with
joy, some grew pale with alarm; there were sighs of despair, and
cries of fresh hope. Every one felt that this was a crisis in the
fate of the royal family--some thinking that it would bring
disaster, others deliverance.
The queen alone put on now a grave, decided look; a lofty pride
lighted up her high brow, and with an almost joyful expression she
looked at her husband, who had been induced to do something--at
least, to take a decisive step.
"The king has spoken," she said, amid the profoundest silence, "and
it becomes us to obey the will of the king, and to be subject to it.
Madame de Campan, make all the preparations for my departure, and do
it in view of a long stay in Paris!"
"Now, Lafayette," asked the king, as the general still delayed in
the room, "why do you not hasten to announce my will to the people?"
"Sire," answered Lafayette, solemnly, "there are moments when a
people can only be pacified by the voice either of God or of its
king, and where every other human voice is overwhelmed by the
thunder of the storm!"
"And you think that this is such a moment?" asked the king.
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