Chapters 18 and 19 Summary and Analysis

In early 1788, Louis was constantly wrangling with the Paris parlement over the financial edicts he wanted implemented and which they refused to support. Lomenie de Brienne was in very ill health, reducing the confidence of the financiers who could restore France's credit. A new man was needed, and Antoinette stepped in and took action.

It is one of the few examples Erickson offers of Antoinette acting competently at politics. She understood that the man needed to gain the support of the Paris parlement and the international financiers was Jacques Necker, the former finance minister who had openly criticized the government and was very popular among the French. With the help of Mercy, Antoinette saw to it that Necker was reinstated.

Necker's return was greeted with great enthusiasm and optimism by the French public, who demonstrated in the streets of...