el-cases,
trinkets, and portfolios which the insurgents had just {319} taken from
her bedroom at the Tuileries; when she heard the victorious cries of
the rioters; when Vergniaud's voice sounded in her ears like a funeral
knell--she could hardly contain her grief and indignation. For one
instant she closed her eyes. But presently she haughtily raised her
head.

The tide was rising, rising incessantly. Petitioners demanded
sometimes the deposition, and sometimes the death, of the King. This
dialogue was overheard between the painter David and Merlin de
Thionville, who were talking together about Louis XVI.: "Would you
believe it? Just now he asked me, as I was passing his box, if I would
soon have his portrait finished."--"Bah! and what did you say?"--"That
I would never paint the portrait of a tyrant again until I should have
his head in my hat."--"Admirable! I don't know a more sublime answer,
even in antiquity."

The demands of the Revolution grew greater from minute to minute. In
the decree of deposition which had been voted on Vergniaud's
proposition, it was stipulated that the ministers should continue to
exercise their functions. A few instants later, Brissot caused it to
be decreed that they had lost the nation's confidence. A new ministry
was nominated during the session. The three ministers dismissed before
June 20--Roland, Claviere, and Servan--were reinstalled by acclamation
in the ministries of the Interior, of Finances, and of War. The other
ministers were chosen by ballot: Danton was nominated to that {320} of
Justice by 282 votes, Monge to the Marine by 150, and Lebrun-Tondu to
Foreign Affairs by 100. This ballot established the fact that out of
the 749 members composing the Assembly, but 284 were present. Two days
before, 680 had voted on the question concerning Lafayette, and now, at
the moment of the final crisis, not more than 284 could be found! All
the others had disappeared, through fear or through disgust. The
Revolution was accomplished by an Assembly thus reduced, and a Commune
whose members had appointed themselves. Marie Antoinette, in her pride
as Queen, was unable to conceive that there could be anything serious
in such a government. When Lebrun-Tondu's appointment was announced,
she leaned towards Bigot de Sainte-Croix, and said in his ear: "I hope
you will none the less believe yourself Minister of Foreign Affairs."

The unfortunate royal family were still prisoners in