But not a word, not a syllable of the trial which
followed, reached her. Madame Tison, the female dragon who guarded
her, watched her too well for any tidings to reach her.
At last, however, the word was brought which the heart of the queen
had so long anticipated tremblingly, for which she had prepared
herself during the long nights with tears and prayers, and which now
filled her with grief, anger, and despair. The king was condemned to
death! He wanted only to see his family, to take his leave of them!
The Convention had granted this privilege to him, and had even gone
so far in its grace as to permit the family to be without the
presence of witnesses. The meeting was appointed, however, in the
little dining-room of the king, because a glass door led into the
adjoining room, and the officials could then look in upon the royal
family. The functionary had withdrawn in order to conduct the queen,
the children, and the king's sister from the upper tower. The king
was awaiting them, walked disquietly up and down, and then directed
Clery, who was arranging the little room, to set the round table,
which was in the middle of the apartment, on one side, and then to
bring in a carafe of water and some glasses. "But," he added,
considerately, "not ice-water, for the queen cannot bear it, and she
might be made unwell by it.
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