her that he would not consent to any attempt to save him, which might excite disturbance in the country.  He then gave my brother some religious advice, and desired him, above all, to forgive those who caused his death; and he gave us his blessing.  My mother was very desirous that the whole family should pass the night with my father, but he opposed this, observing to her that he much needed some hours of repose and quiet.”  After a long conversation, interrupted by silence and grief, the King put an end to the painful meeting, agreeing to see his family again at eight the next morning.  “Do you promise that you will?” earnestly inquired the Princesses.  “Yes, yes,” sorrowfully replied the King.

["But when we were gone,” says his daughter, “he requested that we might not be permitted to return, as our presence afflicted him too much.”]

At this moment the Queen held him by one arm, Madame Elisabeth by the other, while Madame Royale clasped him round the waist, and the Dauphin stood before him, with one hand in that of his mother.  At the moment of retiring Madame Royale fainted; she was carried away, and the King returned to M. Edgeworth deeply depressed by this painful interview.  The King retired to rest about midnight; M. Edgeworth threw himself upon a bed, and Clery took his place near the pillow of his master.

Next morning, the 21st of January, at five, the King awoke, called Clery, and dressed with great calmness.  He congratulated himself on having recovered his strength by sleep.  Clery kindled a fire,, and moved a chest of drawers, out of which he formed an altar.  M. Edgeworth put on his pontifical robes, and began to celebrate mass.  Clery waited on him, and the King listened, kneeling with the greatest devotion.  He then received the communion from the hands of M. Edgeworth, and after mass rose with new vigour, and awaited with composure the moment for going to the scaffold.  He asked for scissors that Clery might cut his hair; but the Commune refused to trust him with a pair.

At this moment the drums were beating in the capital.  All who belonged to the armed sections repaired to their company with complete submission.  It was reported that four or five hundred devoted men, were to make a dash upon the carriage, and rescue the King.  The Convention, the Commune, the Executive Council, and the Jacobins were sitting.  At eight. in the morning, Santerre, with a deputation from the Commune, the department, and the criminal tribunal, repaired to the Temple.  Louis XVI., on hearing them arrive, rose and prepared to depart.  He desired Clery to transmit his last farewell to his wife, his sister, and his children; he gave him a sealed packet, hair, and various trinkets, with directions to deliver these articles to them.