The neighboring powers had made an alliance against France. The King
of Prussia was advancing with a powerful army, and had already
confronted the French force before Chalons, while the Emperor of
Germany was marching against Alsace. Marie Antoinette forgot the
confusion and perplexity which Manuel had exhibited, in the
importance of this news. She hoped again; she found in her elastic
spirit support in these tidings, and began to think of the
possibility of escape. It did not trouble her that beneath her
windows she heard a furious cry, as the crowd surged up to the
prison walls: "The head of the Austrian! Give us the head of the
Austrian!" She had so often heard that--it had been so long the
daily refrain to the sorrowful song of riot which filled Paris--that
it had lost all meaning for Marie Antoinette.
Nor did it disturb her at all that she heard the loud beatings of
drums approaching like muffled thunder, that trumpets were blown,
that musketry rattled, and loud war cries resounded in the distant
streets.
Marie Antoinette paid no heed to this. She heard constantly ringing
before her ear Manuel's words: "The neighboring nations have allied
against France. The King of Prussia is before Chalons. The Emperor
of Germany is advancing upon Strasburg." "0 God of Heaven, be
merciful to us! Grant to our friends victory over our enemies.
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