the memoirs of marie antoinette-第69章
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f tapestry。 Her mind was too much occupied with passing events and surrounding dangers to admit her of applying herself to reading； the needle was the only employment which could divert her。
＇There was long preserved at Paris； in the house of Mademoiselle Dubuquois； a tapestry…worker； a carpet worked by the Queen and Madame Elisabeth for the large room of her Majesty's ground…floor apartments at the Tuileries。 The Empress Josephine saw and admired this carpet； and desired it might be taken care of； in the hope of one day sending it to Madame MADAME CAMPAN。＇
She received the Court twice a week before going to mass； and on those days dined in public with the King； she spent the rest of the time with her family and children； she had no concert； and did not go to the play until 1791； after the acceptation of the constitution。 The Princesse de Lamballe； however； had some evening parties in her apartments at the Tuileries； which were tolerably brilliant in consequence of the great number of persons who attended them。 The Queen was present at a few of these assemblies； but being soon convinced that her present situation forbade her appearing much in public； she remained at home； and conversed as she sat at work。 The sole topic of her discourse was； as may well be supposed； the Revolution。 She sought to discover the real opinions of the Parisians respecting her； and how she could have so completely lost the affections of the people； and even of many persons in the higher ranks。 She well knew that she ought to impute the whole to the spirit of party； to the hatred of the Duc d'Orleans； and the folly of the French； who desired to have a total change in the constitution； but she was not the less desirous of ascertaining the private feelings of all the people in power。
From the very commencement of the Revolution General Luckner indulged in violent sallies against her。 Her Majesty； knowing that I was acquainted with a lady who had been long connected with the General； desired me to discover through that channel what was the private motive on which Luckner's hatred against her was founded。 On being questioned upon this point； he answered that Marechal de Segur had assured him he had proposed him for the command of a camp of observation； but that the Queen had made a bar against his name； and that this 'par'； as he called it； in his German accent； he could not forget。
The Queen ordered me to repeat this reply to the King myself； and said to him： 〃See； Sire； whether I was not right in telling you that your ministers； in order to give themselves full scope in the distribution of favours； persuaded the French that I interfered in everything； there was not a single license given out in the country for the sale of salt or tobacco but the people believed it was given to one of my favourites。〃
〃That is very； true；〃 replied the King； 〃but I find it very difficult to believe that Marechal de S4gur ever said any such thing to Luckner； he knew too well that you never interfered in the distribution of favours。
That Luckner is a good…for…nothing fellow； and Segur is a brave and honourable man who never uttered such a falsehood； however； you are right； and because you provided for a few dependents； you are most unjustly reported to have disposed of all offices； civil and military。〃
All the nobility who had not left Paris made a point of presenting themselves assiduously to the King； and there was a considerable influx to the Tuileries。 Marks of attachment were exhibited even in external symbols； the women wore enormous bouquets of lilies in their bosoms and upon their heads； and sometimes even bunches of white ribbon。 At the play there were often disputes between the pit and the boxes about removing these ornaments； which the people thought dangerous emblems。 National cockades were sold in every corner of Paris； the sentinels stopped all who did not wear them； the young men piqued themselves upon breaking through this regulation； which was in some degree sanctioned by the acquiescence of Louis XVI。 Frays took place； which were to be regretted； because they excited a spirit of lawlessness。 The King adopted conciliatory measures with the Assembly in order to promote tranquillity； the revolutionists were but little disposed to think him sincere； unfortunately the royalists encouraged this incredulity by incessantly repeating that the King was not free； and that all that he did was completely null； and in no way bound him for the time to come。 Such was the heat and violence of party spirit that persons the most sincerely attached to the King were not even permitted to use the language of reason； and recommend greater reserve in conversation。 People would talk and argue at table without considering that all the servants belonged to the hostile army； and it may truly be said there was as much imprudence and levity in the party assailed as there was cunning； boldness； and perseverance in that which made the attack。
CHAPTER III。
In February； 1790； another matter gave the Court much uneasiness； a zealous individual of the name of Favras had conceived the scheme of carrying off the King； and affecting a counter…revolution。 Monsieur； probably out of mere benevolence； gave him some money； and thence arose a report that he thereby wished to favour the execution of the enterprise。 The step taken by Monsieur in going to the Hotel de Ville to explain himself on this matter was unknown to the Queen； it is more than probable that the King was acquainted with it。 When judgment was pronounced upon M。 de Favras the Queen did not conceal from me her fears about the confessions of the unfortunate man in his last moments。
I sent a confidential person to the Hotel de Ville； she came to inform the Queen that the condemned had demanded to be taken from Notre…Dame to the Hotel de Ville to make a final declaration； and give some particulars verifying it。 These particulars compromised nobody； Favras corrected his last will after writing it； and went to the scaffold with heroic courage and coolness。 The judge who read his condemnation to him told him that his life was a sacrifice which he owed to public tranquillity。 It was asserted at the time that Favras was given up as a victim in order to satisfy the people and save the Baron de Besenval； who was a prisoner in the Abbaye。
＇Thomas Mahy； Marquis de Favras； was accused in the month of December； 1789； of having conspired against the Revolution。 Having been arrested by order of the committee of inquiry of the National Assembly； he was transferred to the Chatelet； where he defended himself with much coolness and presence of mind； repelling the accusations brought against him by Morel； Turcati； and Marquis； with considerable force。 These witnesses declared he had imparted his plan to them； it was to be carried into execution by 12；000 Swiss and 12；000 Germans； who were to be assembled at Montargis； thence to march upon Paris； carry off the King； and assassinate Bailly； La Fayette； and Necker。 The greater number of these charges he denied； and declared that the rest related only to the levy of a troop intended to favour the revolution preparing in Brabant。 The judge having refused to disclose who had denounced him； he complained to the Assembly； which passed to the order of the day。 His death was obviously inevitable。 During the whole time of the proceedings the populace never ceased threatening the judges and shouting； 〃A la lanterne！〃 It was even necessary to keep numerous troops and artillery constantly ready to act in the courtyard of the Chatelet。 The judges； who had just acquitted M。 de Besenval in an affair nearly similar； doubtless dreaded the effects of this fury。 When they refused to hear Favras's witnesses in exculpation； he compared them to the tribunal of the Inquisition。 The principal charge against him was founded on a letter from M。 de Foucault； asking him； 〃where are your troops？ in which direction will they enter Paris？ I should like to be employed among them。〃 Favras was condemned to make the 'amende
