"Fellow-citizens," said he, "you began this day wisely and worthily;
you have proved that you are free. End the day as you began it.
Separate peaceably; do as I do, return to your houses, and go to
bed!" The multitude, flattered by Petion's praises, began to
withdraw, and the National Guards escorted the king into the great
council-chamber, where a deputation of the National Assembly had met
to pay their respects to the king.
"Where is the queen, where are the children?" cried the king, as,
exhausted, he sank into a chair.
His gentlemen hastened out to bring them, and soon the queen and the
children came in. With extended arms Marie Antoinette hastened to
her husband, and they remained a long time locked in their embrace.
"Papa king," cried the dauphin, "give me a kiss, too! I have
deserved it, for I was brave and did not cry when the people put the
red cap on my head."
The king stooped down to the child and kissed his golden hair, and
then pressed his little daughter, who was nestling up to him, to his
heart.
The deputies stood with curious looks around the group, to whom it
was not granted, even after such a fearful day and such imminent
peril, to embrace each other, and thank God for their preservation,
without witnesses.
"Confess, madame," said one of the deputies to Marie Antoinette, in
a confidential tone, "confess that you have experienced great
anxiety.
Pages:
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489