“...  One circumstance worthy of remark is that in all these discussions on the Constitution the people take no interest, and concern themselves solely about their own affairs, limiting their wishes to having a Constitution and getting rid of the aristocrats...  As to our acceptance of the Constitution, it is impossible for any thinking being to avoid seeing that we are not free.  But it is essential that we should not awaken a suspicion of our feelings in the monsters who surround us.  Let me know where the emperor’s forces are and what is their present position.  In every case the foreign powers can alone save us.  The army is lost.  There is no money.  There is no bond, no curb which can restrain the populace, which is everywhere armed.  Even the chiefs of the Revolution, when they wish to speak of order, are not listened to.  This is the deplorable condition in which we are placed.  Add that we have not a single friend—­ that every one betrays us, some out of hatred, others out of weakness or ambition.  In short, I actually am reduced to dread the day when they will have the appearance of giving us a kind of freedom.  At least, in the state of nullity in which we are at present, no one can reproach us....  You know the character of the person with whom I have to do.[10] At the last moment, when one seems to have convinced him, an argument, a word, will make him change his mind before any one suspects it.  This is the reason why many expedients can not be even attempted.”

On the 21st she hears that the Charter will be presented at the end of the week, and she repeats her fears that the conduct of the emigrants may involve them in fresh troubles.  “It is essential that the French, and most especially the brothers of the king, should keep in the background, and allow the foreign princes to act by themselves.  But no entreaty, no argument from us will induce them to do so.  The emperor must insist upon it.  It is the only way in which he can serve us.  You know yourself the mischievous wrong-headedness and evil designs of the emigrants.  The cowards! after having abandoned us, they seek to make us expose ourselves alone to danger, and serve nothing but their interests.  I do not accuse the king’s brothers; I believe their hearts and their intentions to be pure, but they are surrounded and guided by ambitious men who will ruin them after having first ruined us.” ...  On the 26th she hears that it will still be a week before the Constitution is brought to the king.  “It is impossible, considering our position, that the king should refuse to accept it.  You may depend upon this being true, since I say it.  You know my character sufficiently to be sure that it would incline me rather to a noble and bold course.  We have no resource but in the foreign powers.  They must come to our assistance; but it is the emperor who must put himself at the head of every thing, and manage every thing....  I declare to you that matters are now come to such a state that it would