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where； crowded together； they were compelled to wait till the doors
were opened。
Almost two hours elapsed before they were allowed to pass out of
this dark place of confinement into the great hall； at a signal from
the Marquis de Brize； the master of ceremonies。
A splendid scene now greeted their eyes。 The Salle de Menus； which
had been fitted up for the reception of the nobility； displayed
within two rows of Ionic pillars； which gave to the hall an unwonted
air of dignity and solemnity。 The hall was lighted mainly from
above； through a skylight； which was covered with a screen of white
sarcenet。 A gentle light diffused itself throughout the room； making
one object as discernible as another。 In the background the throne
could be seen on a richly ornamented estrade and beneath a gilded
canopy； an easy…chair for the queen； tabourets for the princesses；
and chairs for the other members of the royal family。 Below the
estrade stood the bench devoted to the ministers and the secretaries
of state。 At the right of the throne； seats had been placed for the
clergy； on the left for the nobility； while in front were the six
hundred chairs devoted to the Third Estate。
The Marquis de Brize； with two assistant masters of ceremonies； now
began to assign the commoners to their seats； in accordance with the
situation of the districts which they represented。
As the Duke d'Orleans appeared in the midst of the other deputies of
Crespy； there arose from the amphitheatre； where the spectators sat；
a gentle sound of applause； which increased in volume； and was
repeated by some of the commoners； when it was noticed that the duke
made a clergyman； who had gone behind him in the delegation from
this district； go in front of him； and did not desist till the
round…bellied priest had really taken his place before him。 In the
mean time the bench of the ministers had begun to fill。 They
appeared as a body； clothed in rich uniforms； heavy with gold。 Only
one single man among them appeared in simple citizen's clothing； and
bearing himself as naturally as if he were engaged in business of
the state； or in ordinary parlor conversation； and by no means as if
taking part in an extraordinary solemnity。 As soon as he was seen；
there arose on all sides； as much in the assembly as on the tribune；
a movement as of joy which culminated in a general clapping of
hands。
The man who received this salutation was the newly…appointed
minister of finance； Necker； to whom the nation was looking for a
reestablishment of its prosperity and of its credit。
Necker manifested only by a thoughtful smile； which mounted to his
earnest； thought…furrowed face； that he was conscious to whom the
garland of supreme popularity was extended at this moment。
Next； the deputation of Provence appeared； in the midst of which
towered Count Mirabeau； with his proud； erect bearing； advancing to
take the place appointed for him。 His appearance was the sign for a
few hands to commence clapping in a distant part of the hall； in
honor of a man so much talked of in Prance； and of whom such strange
things were said。 But at this instant the king appeared； accompanied
by the queen； followed by the princes and princesses of the royal
family。
At the entrance of the king； the whole assembly broke into a loud；
enthusiastic shout of applause and of joy。 The Third Estate as well；
at a signal from Count Mirabeau； had quickly risen； but continued to
stand without bending the knee； as had been； at the last time when
all the estate were assembled； the invariable rule。 Only one of the
representatives of the Third Estate； a young man with energetic；
proud face； and dark； glowing eyes； bent his knee when he saw the
queen entering behind the king。 But the powerful hand of his
neighbor was laid upon his shoulder and drew him quickly up。
〃Mr。 Deputy；〃 whispered this neighbor to him； 〃it becomes the
representatives of the nation to stand erect before the crown。〃
〃It is true； Count Mirabeau；〃 answered Toulan。 〃I did not bend my
knee to the crown； but to the queen as； a beautiful woman。〃
Mirabeau made no reply； but turned his flaming eyes to the king。
Louis XVI。 appeared that day arrayed in the great royal ermine； and
wore upon his head a plumed hat； whose band glistened with great
diamonds； while the largest in the royal possession； the so…called
Titt； formed the centre； and threw its rays far and wide。 The king
appeared at the outset to be deeply moved at the reception which had
been given him。 A smile； indicating that his feelings were touched；
played upon his face。 But afterward； when all was still； and the
king saw the grave； manly； marked faces of the commoners opposite
him； his manner became confused； and for an instant he seemed to
tremble。
The queen； however； looked around her with a calm and self…possessed
survey。 Her fine eyes swept slowly and searchingly over the rows of
grave men who sat opposite the royal couple； and dwelt a moment on
Toulan； as if she recalled in him the young man who； two years
before； had brought the message of Cardinal Rohan's acquittal。 A
painful smile shot for an instant over her fine features。 Yes； she
had recognized him； the young man who； at Madame de Campan's room；
had sworn a vow of eternal fidelity to her。 And now he sat opposite
her； on the benches of the commoners； among her enemies； who gazed
at her with angry looks。 That was his way of fulfilling the vow
which he had made of his own free will！
But Marie Antoinette wondered at nothing now； she had witnessed the
falling away of so many friends； she had been forsaken by so many
who were closely associated with her； and who were indebted to her；
that it caused her no surprise that the young man who hardly knew
her； who had admired her in a fit of youthful rapture； had done like
all the rest in joining the number of her enemies。
Marie Antoinette sadly let her eyes fall。 She could look at nothing
more； she had in this solemn moment received a new wound； seen a new
deserter！
Toulan read her thoughts in her sad mien； on her throbbing forehead；
but his own countenance remained cheerful and bright。
〃She will live to see the day when she will confess that I am her
friend； am true to her；〃 he said to himself。 〃And on that day I
shall be repaid for the dagger…thrusts which I have just received
from her eyes。 Courage； Toulan； courage！ Hold up your head and be
strong。 The contest has begun； you must fight it through or die！〃
But the queen did not raise her head again。 She looked unspeakably
sad in her simple； unadorned attirein her modest； gentle bearing
and it was most touching to see the pale； fair features which sought
in vain to disclose nothing of the painful emotions of her soul。
The king now arose from his throne and removed his plumed hat。 At
once Marie Antoinette rose from her armchair； in order to listen
standing to the address of the king。
〃Madame；〃 said the king； bowing to her lightly； 〃madame； be seated；
I beg of you。〃
〃Sire；〃 answered Marie Antoinette； calmly； 〃allow me to stand； for
it does not become a subject to sit while the king is standing。〃
A murmur ran through the rows of me