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When the general ceased there was silencethat eloquent； solemn
silence which accompanies those moments in which the Genius of
History hovers over the heads of men； and； touching them with its
pinions； ties their tongues and opens the eyes of the spirit； so
that they can look into the future； and； with presaging horror； read
all the secrets of coming time as by a flash of lightning。
Such a critical moment in history was that in which Lafayette； at
the feet of the dauphin； swore eternal fidelity to the monarchy of
France in the presence of the unfortunate mayor of Paris； who was
soon to seal his loyalty with his own blood； and in presence of the
queen； whose lofty character was soon to make her a martyr。
The moments passed by； then Marie Antoinette bowed to Lafayette with
her gracious smile。
〃Rise； general；〃 she said； in gentle tones； 〃God has heard your
oath； and I accept it in the name of the French monarchy； my
husband； my son； and myself。 I shall always continue mindful of it；
and I hope that you will also。 And I beg you； too；〃 she continued；
in a low voice； and with a deep flush upon her face； 〃I beg you to
forgive me if I have hitherto cast unworthy reproaches upon you。 I
have lived through so many sad and dreadful days； that it will be
set down to my favor if my nerves are agitated and easily excited。 I
shall probably learn to accept evil days with calmness； and to bow
my head patiently beneath the yoke which my enemies are laying upon
me！ But still I feel the injury； and the proud habits of my birth
and life war against it。 But only wait； and I shall become
accustomed to it。〃
While saying this she stooped down to the dauphin and kissed his
golden hair。 A tear fell from her eyes upon the forehead of her son；
and glittered there like a star fallen from heaven。 Marie Antoinette
did not see it； did not know that the tear which she was trying to
conceal was now glistening on the brow of her sonon that brow
which was never to wear any other diadem than the one that the tears
of love placed on his innocent head。
〃Heaven defend your majesty ever being compelled to become
accustomed to insult！〃 cried Lafayette； deeply moved。 〃I hope we
have seen our worst days； and that after the tempest there will be
sunshine and bright weather again。 The people will look back with
shame and regret upon the wild and stormy scenes to which they have
allowed themselves to be drawn by unprincipled agitators； they will
bow in love and obedience before the royal couple who； with so much
confidence and devotion； leave their beautiful； retired home at
Versailles； in order to comply with the wish of the people and come
to Paris。 Will your majesty have the goodness to ask the mayor of
Paris； and he will tell you； madame； how deeply moved all the good
citizens of Paris are at the truly noble spirit which prompted you
to refuse to initiate an investigation respecting the night of
horrors at Versailles； and to bring the ringleaders to justice。〃
〃Is it true； M。 de Bailly？〃 asked the queen； eagerly。 〃Was my
decision approved？ Have I friends still among the people of Paris？〃
〃Your majesty；〃 answered M。 de Bailly； bowing low； 〃all good
citizens of Paris have seen with deep emotion the noble resolve of
your majesty； and in all noble and true hearts the royal words are
recorded imperishably； which your majesty spoke to the judges of the
Chatelet； 'I have heard all； seen all； and forgotten all！' With
tears of deep feeling； with a hallowed joy； they are repeated
through all Paris； they have become the watchword of all the well…
inclined and faithful； the evangel of love and forgiveness for all
women； of fidelity and devotion for all men！ It has been seen and
confessed that the throne of France is the possessor not only of
goodness and beauty； but of forgiveness and gentleness； and that
your majesty bears rightly the title of the Most Christian Queen。
These nine words which your majesty has uttered； have become the
sacred banner of all true souls； and they will cause the golden days
to come back； as they once dawned upon Paris when the Dauphin of
France made his entry into the capital； and it could be said with
truth to the future queen； Marie Antoinette； 'Here are a hundred
thousand lovers of your person。'〃
The queen was no longer able to master her deep emotion。 She who had
had the courage to display a proud and defiant mien to her enemies
and assailants； could not conceal the intensity of her feeling when
hearing words of such devotion； and uttered a cry； then choked with
emotion； and at length burst into a torrent of tears。 Equally
astonished and ashamed； she covered her face with her hands； but the
tears gushed out between her white tapering fingers； and would not
be withheld。 They had been so long repressed behind those proud
eyelids； that now； despite the queen's will； they forced their way
with double power and intensity。
But only for a moment did the proud…spirited queen allow herself to
be overcome by the gentle and deeply…moved woman； she quickly
collected herself and raised her head。
〃I thank you； sir； I thank you；〃 she said； breathing more freely；
〃you have done me good； and these tears； though not the first which
grief and anger have extorted； are the first for a long time which
have sprung from what is almost joy。 Who knows whether I shall ever
be able to shed such tears again！ And who knows；〃 she continued；
with a deep sigh； 〃whether I do not owe these tears more to your
wish to do me good； than to true and real gains？ I bethink me now
you say all good citizens of Paris repeat my words； all the well…
disposed are satisfied with my decision。 But； ah！ I fear that the
number of these is very small； and that the golden days of the past
will never return！ And is not your appearance here to…day a proof of
this？ Did you not come here because the people insult and calumniate
me； and because you considered it needful to throw around me your
protection； which is now mightier than the royal purple and the
lilies of the throne of France？〃
〃Madame； time must be granted to the misguided people to return to
the right way；〃 said Lafayette； almost with a supplicating air。
〃They must be dealt with as we deal with defiant； naughty children；
which can be brought back to obedience and submission better by
gentle speech and apparent concession than by rigidity and severity。
On this account I ventured to ask your majesty to intrust me for a
little while with the care of your sacred person； and； in order that
I may satisfy my duty； that you would graciously appoint the time
when your majesty will take your walks here in the park and garden；
so that I can make my arrangements accordingly。〃
〃In order to make a fence out of your National Guards； protected by
which the Queen of France may not become visible to the hate of the
people； and behind which she may be secure against the attacks of
her enemies！〃 cried Marie Antoinette。 〃No； sir； I cannot accept
this！ It shall at least be seen that I am no coward； and that I will
not hide myself from those who come to attack me！〃
〃Your majesty；〃 said Bailly； 〃I conjure you； do this out of
compassion for