I
shall probably learn to accept evil days with calmness, and to bow
my head patiently beneath the yoke which my enemies are laying upon
me! But still I feel the injury, and the proud habits of my birth
and life war against it. But only wait, and I shall become
accustomed to it."
While saying this she stooped down to the dauphin and kissed his
golden hair. A tear fell from her eyes upon the forehead of her son,
and glittered there like a star fallen from heaven. Marie Antoinette
did not see it, did not know that the tear which she was trying to
conceal was now glistening on the brow of her son--on that brow
which was never to wear any other diadem than the one that the tears
of love placed on his innocent head.
"Heaven defend your majesty ever being compelled to become
accustomed to insult!" cried Lafayette, deeply moved. "I hope we
have seen our worst days, and that after the tempest there will be
sunshine and bright weather again. The people will look back with
shame and regret upon the wild and stormy scenes to which they have
allowed themselves to be drawn by unprincipled agitators; they will
bow in love and obedience before the royal couple who, with so much
confidence and devotion, leave their beautiful, retired home at
Versailles, in order to comply with the wish of the people and come
to Paris.
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