, but he continued to
learn eagerly all that was offered his quick retentive mind to
assimilate. His playfulness and mischievous pranks were a great comfort
to the failing spirits of the king and queen, and the tact he showed in
his manner and words were nothing less than wonderful in so young a
boy. He never mentioned Versailles or the Tuileries or anything which
would rouse sad memories in the minds of his parents, but seemed to be
constantly on his guard to protect them both from any hints of sorrow
which he could prevent.

The royal prisoners were soon removed to the principal tower of the
Temple, where the Dauphin occupied a room with the king, until after
Louis was taken away for trial, when the Dauphin was placed in his
mother's care, and after that time he saw his father only once. The
king was condemned to death. Having foreseen it, calmly he had accepted
the decree, asking only that he might see his family once to say
farewell. This privilege was granted and during the scene which lasted
almost two hours, little Louis, born to inherit not glory but
misfortune, held his father in his arms and kissed and comforted him in
the fashion of a strong man rather than a little child. He did not
understand causes, but he saw effects, and he was brave because mamma
and papa needed someone beside them, who smiled, and so he held tears
back until the time when they were a natural consequence of the final
parting with his loved father.

And now little Louis was no longer the Dauphin, but rightful King of
France--King of France, only think of it, and scarcely eight years old!
Marie Antoinette, from the hour of separation from her husband devoted
her entire strength and time to the education of her child, the little
King. She felt she had no time to lose, and every moment of the day was
made to serve some useful end. Even the games he played had each a
purpose. It was a touching sight to see him leaning his elbows on a
tiny table, absorbed in reading the history of France, then eagerly
telling what he had read, and commenting on it. The queen made a
special point of talking to the little King of his royal office, told
him of his father's gentleness and mercy to his enemies, and made him
promise to be as merciful if he should ever reign, and he soon was made
to feel that greatness comes not with titles, but with character, and
once in his sleep was heard to murmur:

"I will be good and kind; for I am king." Poor little Louis