They told me that you had given
no favor to their united request, and that you would not grant to
General Lafayette the right to protect you while you are taking your
walks."
"I hope your majesty is satisfied with me," answered Marie
Antoinette. "You feel, like me, that it is a new humiliation for us
if we are to allow our very enjoyment of nature to be under the
control of the people's general, and if even the air is no longer to
be the free air for us!"
"I have only thought that in such unguarded walks you would be
threatened with danger," answered the king, perplexed. "Lafayette
has painted to me in such dark and dreadful colors, and I have so
painfully had to confess that he speaks the truth, that I could only
think of your safety, and take no other point of view than to see
you sheltered from the attacks of your enemies, and from the rage of
these factions. I have therefore approved Lafayette's proposal, and
allowed him to protect your majesty on your walks."
"But you have not fixed definite hours for my walks? You have not
done that, sire, have you?"
"I have indeed done that," answered the king, gently. "I am familiar
with your habits, and know that in autumn and winter you usually
take your walks between twelve and two, and in summer afternoons
between five and seven.
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