violence which the people
have left behind them,--locks broken, hinges forced off, wainscoting
burst through, furniture ruined. She speaks of the dangers that have
threatened the King and the insults offered to herself. Perceiving
that Merlin de {216} Thionville, an ardent Jacobin, has tears in his
eyes, she says: "You are weeping to see the King and his family so
cruelly treated by people whom he has always desired to render happy."
The republican answered: "Yes, Madame, I weep, but it is for the
misfortunes of the mother of a family, not for the King and Queen; I
hate kings and queens." A deputy accosted Marie Antoinette, saying in
a familiar tone: "You were very much afraid, Madame, you must admit."
"No, Monsieur," she replied, "I was not at all afraid; but I suffered
much in being separated from the King at a moment when his life was in
danger. At least, I had the consolation of being with my children and
performing one of my duties." "Without pretending to excuse
everything, agree, Madame, that the people showed themselves very
good-natured." "The King and I, Monsieur, are convinced of the natural
goodness of the people; it is only when they are misled that they are
wicked."--"How old is Mademoiselle?" went on the deputy, pointing to
Madame Royale.--"She is at that age, Monsieur, when one feels only too
great a horror of such scenes."

Other deputies surround the Dauphin. They question him on different
subjects, especially concerning the geography of France and its new
territorial division into departments and districts, and are enchanted
by the correctness of his replies.

An officer of Chasseurs of the National Guard enters the King's
chamber. This officer had shown {217} the utmost zeal in protecting
his sovereign and had had the honor of being wounded at his side. He
is congratulated. The Dauphin perceives him. "What is the name of
that guard who defended my father so bravely?" he asks.--"Monseigneur,"
replies M. Hue, "I do not know; he will be flattered if you ask him."
The Prince runs to put his question to the officer, but the latter, in
respectful terms, declines to answer. Then M. Hue insists. "I beg
you," he cries, "tell us your name."--"I ought to conceal my name,"
replies the officer; "unfortunately for me, it is the same as that of
an execrable man." The faithful royalist bore the same name as the man
who had caused the arrest of the royal family at Varennes the previous
year. He was c