stituted authorities and retire. The National
Assembly will do justice; I will aid thereto with all my power. You
shall obtain satisfaction; I answer for it with my head; but go away."
Vergniaud follows him with similar remarks. Neither is listened to.
Nobody departs.

It is six in the evening. For two hours, one man, exposed to every
insult, has held his own against a multitude. At last Petion arrives
wearing his mayor's scarf. The crowd draws back. "Sire," says he, "I
have just this instant learned the situation you were in."--"That is
very astonishing," returns Louis XVI.; "for it has lasted two
hours."--"Sire, truly, I was ignorant that there was trouble at the
palace. {206} As soon as I was informed, I hastened to your side. But
you have nothing to fear; I answer for it that the people will respect
you."--"I fear nothing," replies the King. "Moreover, I have not been
in any danger, since I was surrounded by the National Guard."

Petion, like Pontius Pilate, pretends indifference. A municipal
officer, M. Champion, reminds him of his duties, and says with
firmness: "Order the people to retire; order them in the name of the
law; we are threatened with great danger, and you must speak." At last
Petion decides to intervene. "Citizens," he says, "all you who are
listening to me, came to present legally your petition to the
hereditary representative of the nation, and you have done so with the
dignity and majesty of a free people; return now to your homes, for you
can desire nothing further. Your demand will doubtless be reiterated
by all the eighty-three departments, and the King will grant your
prayer. Retire, and do not, by remaining longer, give occasion to the
public enemies to impugn your worthy intentions."

At first this discourse of the mayor of Paris produces but slight
effect. The cries and threats continue. But, after a while, the
crowd, worn out with shouting, and hungry and thirsty as well, begin to
quiet down a little. The most excited cry: "We are waiting for an
answer from the King. Nothing has been asked of him yet." Others say:
"Listen to the mayor, he is going to speak again; we will {207} hear
him." Petion repeats what he said before: "If you do not wish your
magistrates to be unjustly accused, withdraw."

M. Sergent, administrator of police, who had come with the mayor, asked
if any one has ordered the doors leading from the Grand Cabinet to the
Gallery of Diana to be opened,