“The King and the Princesse Elizabeth, by whom Barnave had been much esteemed ever since the journey from Varennes, were both inconsolable.  I really believe the Queen entirely owed her instantaneous recovery from that deadly lethargic state, in which she had been thrown by her grief for the destined sacrifice, to the exuberant goodness of the King’s heart, who instantly resolved to compromise his own existence, to save those who had forfeited theirs for him and his family.

“Seeing the emotion of the Queen, ‘I will go myself to the Assembly,’ said Louis XVI., ‘and declare their innocence.’

“The Queen sprang forward, as if on the wings of an angel, and grasping the King in her arms, cried, ’Will you hasten their deaths by confirming the impression of your keeping up an understanding with them?  Gracious Heaven!  Oh, that I could recall the acts of attachment they have shown us, since to these they are now falling victims!  I would save them,’ continued Her Majesty, ’with my own blood; but, Sire, it is useless.  We should only expose ourselves to the vindictive spirit of the Jacobins without aiding the cause of our devoted friends.’

“‘Who,’ asked she, I was the guilty wretch that accused our unfortunate Barnave?’

“‘Robespierre.’

“‘Robespierre!’ echoed Her Majesty.  ’Oh, God! then he is numbered with the dead!  This fellow is too fond of blood to be tempted with money.  But you, Sire, must not interfere!’

“Notwithstanding these doubts, however, I undertook, at the King’s and Queen’s most earnest desire, to get some one to feel the pulse of Robespierre, for the salvation of these our only palladium to the constitutional monarchy.  To the first application, though made through the medium of one of his earliest college intimates, Carrier, the wretch was utterly deaf and insensible.  Of this failure I hastened to apprise Her Majesty.  ‘Was any, sum,’ asked she, ’named as a compensation for suspending this trial?’—­’None,’ replied I.  ’I had no commands to that effect.’—­’Then let the attempt be renewed, and back it with the argument of a cheque for a hundred thousand livres on M. Laborde.  He has saved my life and the King’s, and, as far as is in my power, I am determined to save his.  Barnave has exposed his life more than any of our unfortunate friends, and if we can but succeed in saving him, he will speedily be enabled to save his colleagues.  Should the sum I name be insufficient, my jewels shall be disposed of to make up a larger one.  Fly to your agent, dear Princess!  Lose not a moment to intercede in behalf of these our only true friends!’

“I did so, and was fortunate enough to gain over to my personal entreaties one who had the courage to propose the business; and a hundred and fifty thousand livres procured them a suspension of accusation.  All, however, are still watched with such severity of scrutiny that I tremble, even now, for the result.