with shouts of joy.

"All former souvenirs," says the Count de Vaublanc in his Memoirs, "all
former habits of respect then awoke.... Yes, I saw and observed this
multitude; it was animated with the best sentiments; at heart it was
faithful to its King and crowned him with sincere benedictions. But do
popular love and fidelity afford any support to a tottering throne? He
is mad who can think so. The people will be spectators of the latest
combat and will applaud the victor. And let no one blame them! What
can they do if they are not united, encouraged, and led? The people
behold a few seditious individuals attack a throne, and a few
courageous men defend it; they fear one party and desire the success of
the other. When the struggle is over, they submit and obey. The most
honest of them weep in silence, the timid force themselves to display a
guilty joy in order to escape the hatred of the victors whom they see
{256} bathing themselves in blood. They think about their families,
their affairs, their means of support. They were not expected to lead
themselves; that duty was imposed on others; have they fulfilled it?"

It is said that during the fete those who were friendly to the King,
amongst the crowd, were awaiting a signal they expected from him. They
hoped that, by the assistance of the Swiss, they could force their way
to the royal family during the confusion of a hand-to-hand affray, and
get them safely out of Paris. But Louis XVI. neither spoke nor acted.
He returned to his palace without having dared anything. And,
nevertheless, there were still many chances of safety open. Imagine
the effect of a haughty bearing, a commanding gesture in place of the
inert attitude habitual to the unfortunate sovereign. Fancy the Most
Christian King, the heir of Louis XIV., on horseback, haranguing the
people in the style of his witty and valiant ancestor, Henry IV.! He
is still King. The troops of the line are faithful. The great
majority of the National Guard are well-disposed towards him. Luckner,
Lafayette, Dumouriez himself, would ask nothing better than to defend
him if he would show a little energy.

The day after the ceremony of July 14, Lafayette was still anxious that
Louis XVI. should leave Paris openly and go to Compiegne, so as to show
France and Europe that he was free. In case of resistance, the general
demanded only fifty loyal cavaliers to take the royal family away.
From Compiegne, picked {