d, said to him, "I like your
frankness; I know you are attached to me, and I anticipate all from your
services. They had created many prejudices against you, but this moment
effaces them all. Go and do as your heart directs you, and according to
the best interests of the nation, which are also mine." Dumouriez
retired; but he knew that the queen, adored by her husband, clung to the
policy of her husband with all the passion and excitement of her soul.
He desired and feared at the same time an interview with this princess:
one word from her would accomplish or destroy the bold enterprise he had
dared to meditate, of reconciling the king with the people.

XIII.

The queen sent for the general into her most private apartments.
Dumouriez found her alone, her cheeks flushed by the emotion of an
internal struggle, and walking rapidly up and down the room, like a
person whose agitated thoughts require corresponding activity of body.
Dumouriez placed himself in silence near the fireplace, in the attitude
of respect and sorrow, inspired by the presence of so august, so
beautiful, and so miserable a princess. She advanced towards him with a
mingled air of majesty and anger.

"Monsieur," said she, with that accent that reveals at once resentment
against fortune, and contempt for fate; "you are all-powerful at this
moment; but it is through popular favour, and that soon destroys its
idols." She did not await his reply, but continued, "Your existence
depends upon your conduct; it is said that you possess great talents,
and you must imagine that neither the king nor myself can suffer all
these innovations of the constitution. I tell you thus much frankly, so
make your decision." "Madame," returned Dumouriez, "I am confounded by
the dangerous disclosure your Majesty has thought fit to make me; I
will not betray your confidence, but I am placed between the king and
the nation, and I belong to my country. Permit me," continued Dumouriez,
with respectful earnestness, "to represent to you that the safety of the
king--your own--and that of your children, and the very re-establishment
of the royal authority--is bound up with the constitution. You are
surrounded by enemies, who sacrifice you to their own interests. The
constitution alone can, by strengthening itself, protect you and assure
the happiness and glory of the king." "It cannot last long, beware of
yourself," returned the queen, with a look of anger and menace.
Dumouriez imagi