"
"Not the people's enjoyment, only ours, is to be interfered with,"
cried Marie Antoinette, bitterly. "They are doubtless right who call
the people now the real king of France, but they forget that this
new king has usurped the throne only by treachery, rebellion, and
murder, and that the wrath of God and the justice of man 'will one
day hurl him down into the dust at our feet. In this day I hope, and
until then I will bear in patience and with unshaken courage what
fate may lay upon me. The wickedness and brutality of men shall at
least not intimidate me, and fear shall not humiliate me to the
state of a prisoner who takes her walks under the protection of M.
de Lafayette, the general of the people, at appointed hours."
"Your majesty," cried Lafayette, turning pale.
"What is your pleasure?" interrupted the queen, with a proud
movement of her head. "You were a gentleman, and knew the customs
and. mode of our court before you went to America. Has the want of
manners there so disturbed your memory that you do not know that it
is not permitted to speak in the presence of the queen without being
asked or permitted by her to do so?"
"General," cried the dauphin, at this instant, with loud, eager
voice, running forward to Lafayette, and extending to him his little
hand--" general, I should like to salute you.
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