Everywhere the royal family was received with enthusiasm, everywhere
oaths of loyalty to death resounded through the rooms. The king then
went, accompanied by a few faithful friends, down into the park, to
review the battalions of the National Guard who were stationed
there.
When Louis appeared, the cry, "Long live the king!" began to lose
the unanimity which had characterized it in the palace. It was
suppressed and overborne by a hostile murmur, and the farther the
king advanced, the louder grew these mutterings; till at last, from
hundreds and hundreds of throats, the thundering cry resounded,
"Abdication or death! Long live Petion! Resignation or death!"
The king turned hastily around, and, with pale face and forehead
covered with drops of cold sweat, he returned to the palace.
"All is lost!" cried the queen, bitterly, "Nothing more remains for
us than to die worthily."
But soon she raised herself up again, and new courage animated her
soul, when she saw that new defenders were constantly pressing into
the hall, and that even many grenadiers of the National Guard
mingled in the ranks of the nobility.
But these noblemen, these "Chevaliers of the Dagger," excited
mistrust, and a major of the National Guard demanded their removal
with a loud voice.
"No," cried the queen, eagerly, "these noblemen are our best
friends.
Pages:
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497