d, and which loured on the frontiers. He did not
conceal from himself that he was less the chief than the hostage of
France, and that his head and that of his children would be forfeited to
the nation on the first reverse or peril. Danger sees treason on every
side, and the public journals and the clubs denounced more vehemently
than ever the existence of the _comite Autrichien_, of which the queen
was the centre. This report was universally believed by the nation, and
only cost the queen her popularity during the peace, but during the war
it might cost her her life. Thus, formerly accused of betraying the
peace, this unfortunate family was now accused of betraying the war. In
false positions every thing is a danger; the king comprehended the
extent of his perils, and hastened to avert the most impending.

He despatched a secret emissary to the king of Prussia and the emperor,
to entreat them, as they valued his safety, to suspend hostilities, and
to precede the invasion by a conciliating manifesto, which might allow
France to retire from the contest without disgrace, and would place the
life of the royal family under the safeguard of the nation. This secret
agent was Mallet-Dupan, a young journalist of Geneva, established in
France, and mixed up with the counter-revolutionary movement.
Mallet-Dupan was attached to the monarchy by principle, and to the king
by personal devotion. He left Paris under pretext of returning to
Geneva, and from thence went to Germany, where he had an interview with
the Marechal de Castries, the foreign confidant of Louis XVI., and one
of the leaders of the _emigres_. Accredited by the Duc de Castries, he
presented himself at Coblentz to the Duke of Brunswick, at Frankfort to
the ministers of the king of Prussia and the emperor; they however
refused to place any faith in his communications, unless he produced a
letter in the king's own hand. On this the king transmitted him a slip
of paper, about two inches long, on which was written: "_The person who
will produce this note knows my intentions; implicit credence may be
given to all he says in my name._" This royal sign of recognition gave
Mallet-Dupan access to the cabinets of the coalition.

Conferences were opened between the French negotiator, the Comte de
Cobentzel, the Comte d'Haugwitz, and general Heyman, the
plenipotentiaries of the emperor, and the king of Prussia. These
ministers, after having examined the credentials of Mallet-Dupan,