own out of
sight, by the laggard march; the thirst of vengeance slaked in weariness
and soaking clothes. Flandre is again drawn out under arms: but Flandre,
grown so patriotic, now needs no 'exterminating.' The wayworn Batallions
halt in the Avenue: they have, for the present, no wish so pressing as
that of shelter and rest.

Anxious sits President Mounier; anxious the Chateau. There is a message
coming from the Chateau, that M. Mounier would please return thither
with a fresh Deputation, swiftly; and so at least unite our two
anxieties. Anxious Mounier does of himself send, meanwhile, to apprise
the General that his Majesty has been so gracious as to grant us the
Acceptance pure and simple. The General, with a small advance column,
makes answer in passing; speaks vaguely some smooth words to the
National President,--glances, only with the eye, at that so mixtiform
National Assembly; then fares forward towards the Chateau. There are
with him two Paris Municipals; they were chosen from the Three Hundred
for that errand. He gets admittance through the locked and padlocked
Grates, through sentries and ushers, to the Royal Halls.

The Court, male and female, crowds on his passage, to read their doom
on his face; which exhibits, say Historians, a mixture 'of sorrow, of
fervour and valour,' singular to behold. (Memoire de M. le Comte de
Lally-Tollendal (Janvier 1790), p. 161-165.) The King, with Monsieur,
with Ministers and Marshals, is waiting to receive him: He "is come," in
his highflown chivalrous way, "to offer his head for the safety of his
Majesty's." The two Municipals state the wish of Paris: four things,
of quite pacific tenor. First, that the honour of Guarding his sacred
person be conferred on patriot National Guards;--say, the Centre
Grenadiers, who as Gardes Francaises were wont to have that privilege.
Second, that provisions be got, if possible. Third, that the Prisons,
all crowded with political delinquents, may have judges sent them.
Fourth, that it would please his Majesty to come and live in Paris. To
all which four wishes, except the fourth, his Majesty answers readily,
Yes; or indeed may almost say that he has already answered it. To the
fourth he can answer only, Yes or No; would so gladly answer, Yes and
No!--But, in any case, are not their dispositions, thank Heaven, so
entirely pacific? There is time for deliberation. The brunt of the
danger seems past!

Lafayette and d'Estaing settle the watches;