Page:An adventure (1911).pdf/145

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A RÊVERIE
135

unavailing by omitting to speak words of courage and confidence? Why did he seek the protection of his enemies rather than fire on the mob, which an hour later fled away at the volleys fired by the Swiss?[1] No, there was no hope of contending against the difficulties imposed on their party by the inertia of the King. And now things had gone so far, perhaps he had no choice but to advise obedience when the Assembly decreed that the few friends outside their household who had pressed into the loge should no longer hold communication with them, but should retire. More than once during those sad hours they had to see faithful servants bleeding and with torn clothes judged at the bar of the Assembly for having defended them.[2] The handkerchief that was handed to the Queen in the place of her own, which was soaked with tears, in order that she might wipe the drops of sweat off the brow of the young Dauphin, was tinged with blood.[3]

  1. Histoire de Marie Antoinette, La Rocheterie, p. 435.
  2. Vicomte de Maillé, sent to L'Abbaye prison, murdered in the September massacres. M. de la Porte, intendant de la liste civile, also imprisoned and murdered in September. Mémoires de M. de Tourzel, p. 226.
  3. La Rocheterie, p. 438.