I
were king of France, I would disconcert all parties by placing myself
at the head of the Revolution."

This sentence contained the sole line of policy capable of saving Louis
XVI. In a time of revolution every king who is not revolutionary must be
inevitably crushed between the two parties: a neutral king no longer
reigns--a pardoned king degrades the throne--a king conquered by his own
people has for refuge only exile or the scaffold. Dumouriez felt that
his first step was to convince the king of his personal attachment, and
take him into his confidence, or indeed make him his accomplice in the
patriotic part he proposed to play; constitute himself the secret
mediator between the will of the monarch and the exactions of the
cabinet, to control the king by his influence over the Girondists, and
the Girondists by his influence over the king; the part of the favourite
of misfortune and protector of a persecuted queen pleased alike his
ambition and his heart. A soldier, diplomatist, gentleman, there was in
his soul a wholly different feeling for degraded royalty than the
sentiment of satisfied jealousy which filled the minds of the
Girondists. The _prestige_ of the throne existed for Dumouriez; the
_prestige_ of liberty only existed for the Girondists. This feeling,
revealed in his attitude, language, gestures, could not long escape the
observation of Louis XVI. Kings have twofold tact, misfortune makes them
more nice; the unfortunate perceive pity in a look; it is the only
homage they are allowed to receive, and they are the more jealous of it.
In a secret conversation the king and Dumouriez came to an
understanding.

XII.

Dumouriez's restless conduct in his commands in Normandy, the friendship
of Gensonne, the favour of the Jacobins for him, had prejudiced Louis
XVI. against his new minister. The minister, on his side, expected to
find in the king a spirit opposed to the constitution, a mind trammelled
by routine, a violent temper, an abrupt manner, and using language
imperious and offensive to all who approached him. Such was the
caricature of this unfortunate prince. It was necessary to disfigure him
in order to make the nation hate him.

Dumouriez found in him at this moment, and during the three months of
his ministry, an upright mind, a heart open to every benevolent
sentiment, unvarying politeness, endurance and patience which defied the
calamities of his situation. Extreme timidity, the result of the lon