" [Footnote: Marie Antoinette's own words.--See
Goncourt, "Marie Antoinette," pp. 196, 197.]
The speaker bowed respectfully. "Then let me at least beg of you, in
the name of the High-Court of the Chatelet, to give us your order to
bring the guilty parties to trial, for without such a charge we
cannot prosecute the criminals who have been engaged in these acts."
"Nor do I wish you to bring any one to trial," cried the queen, with
dignity. "I have seen all, known all, and forgotten all! Go,
gentlemen, go! My heart knows no vengeance; it has forgiven all
those who have wounded me. Go!" [Footnote: Ibid]
With a commanding gesture of her hand, and a gentle nod of her head,
she dismissed the deputation, who silently withdrew.
"Marie," said the king, grasping the hand of his wife with unwonted
eagerness, and pressing it tenderly to his lips, "Marie, I thank you
in the name of all my subjects. You have acted this hour not only as
a queen, but as the mother of my people."
"Ah, sir," replied the queen, with a sad smile, "only that the
children will not believe in the love of their mother--only that
your subjects do not consider me their mother, but their enemy."
"They have been misguided," said the king. "Evil-minded men have
deceived them, but I hope we shall succeed in bringing the people
back from their error.
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