The prudence and honourable feeling of several officers of the Parisian guards, and the judicious conduct of M. de Vaudreuil, lieutenant-general of marine, and of M. de Chevanne, one of the King’s Guards, brought about an understanding between the grenadiers of the National Guard of Paris and the King’s Guard.  The doors of the oeil-de-boeuf were closed, and the antechamber which precedes that room was filled with grenadiers who wanted to get in to massacre the Guards.  M. de Chevanne offered himself to them as a victim if they wished for one, and demanded what they would have.  A report had been spread through their ranks that the Body Guards set them at defiance, and that they all wore black cockades.  M. de Chevanne showed them that he wore, as did the corps, the cockade of their uniform; and promised that the Guards should exchange it for that of the nation.  This was done; they even went so far as to exchange their grenadiers’ caps for the hats of the Body Guards; those who were on guard took off their shoulder-belts; embraces and transports of fraternisation instantly succeeded to the savage eagerness to murder the band which had shown so much fidelity to its sovereign.  The cry was now “Vivent le Roi, la Nation, et les Gardes-du-corps!”

The army occupied the Place d’Armes, all the courtyards of the Chateau, and the entrance to the avenue.  They called for the Queen to appear in the balcony:  she came forward with Madame and the Dauphin.  There was a cry of “No children!” Was this with a view to deprive her of the interest she inspired, accompanied as she was by her young family, or did the leaders of the democrats hope that some madman would venture to aim a mortal blow at her person?  The unfortunate Princess certainly was impressed with the latter idea, for she sent away her children, and with her hands and eyes raised towards heaven, advanced upon the balcony like a self-devoted victim.

A few voices shouted “To Paris!” The exclamation soon became general.  Before the King agreed to this removal he wished to consult the National Assembly, and caused that body to be invited to sit at the Chateau.  Mirabeau opposed this measure.  While these discussions were going forward it became more and more difficult to restrain the immense disorderly multitude.  The King, without consulting any one, now said to the people:  “You wish, my children, that I should follow you to Paris:  I consent, but on condition that I shall not be separated from my wife and family.”  The King added that he required safety also for his Guards; he was answered by shouts of “Vivo le Roi!  Vivent les Gardes-du-corps!” The Guards, with their hats in the air, turned so as to exhibit the. cockade, shouted “Vive le Roi!  Vive la Nation!” shortly afterwards a general discharge of all the muskets took place, in token of joy.  The King and Queen set off from Versailles at one o’clock.  The Dauphin, Madame, the King’s daughter, Monsieur, Madame,—­[Madame, here, the wife of Monsieur le Comte de Provence.]—­Madame Elisabeth, and Madame de Tourzel, were in the carriage; the Princesse de Chimay and the ladies of the bedchamber for the week, the King’s suite and servants, followed in Court carriages; a hundred deputies in carriages, and the bulk of the Parisian army, closed the procession.