Malesherbes, the interesting Edwin, would they all fail you in this awful moment? Is not this the time, that will stimulate them to unite all their means and efforts?....I never doubted their zeal and affections, answered the king, nor do I doubt their courage; perhaps it may inspire then to make some attempts, but I fear they will be more injurious than advantageous to me. How can a choice band cope with the united forces of despotism and anarchy? Ah! 'dear brother, said Madame Elizabeth, how cruel you are to deprive us of our delusion! Is it then all over? Are we embracing you for the last time? at these words the sobs and tears were renewed; this feeling, and virtuous princess leaned on her brother's breast, where she remained some minutes overwhelmed with grief.

I may deceive myself, resumed Antoinette, more composed, but I see no impossibility to snatch you from the jaws of death. No, they will not dare to raise their parricide hands on him, who was their king!.....Sometimes I flatter myself, that a terrible commotion, taking signal from the ignominy prepared

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for you, will lead your murderers to the scaffold, which they have erected for you !.....Heavens! Madame, interrupted Louis with warmth, what dare you say, what can you wish? Have you reflected on the torrents of blood, which would flow on that occasion ? Is it not enough that mine is exhausted! Antoinette made no reply, but the indignation beaming on her face, the fire of her eyes, informed me clearly, that she disapproved the pacific sentiments of her husband. She said, a moment after, no more of that, you are determined to die; we have only to add to our poignant despair our admiration. But you can deserve it still more; what do I say? you can command that of Europe silently intent on you.....shew them that a man of courage, even under the axe, can overrule his destinies. Allow not infamous executioners to pollute, with their bloody hands, a head rendered illustrious by a crown; in a word, instead of receiving death at their hands, baffle their barbarous hopes with your own.....It is impossible to describe the feelings of the royal family, when they heard this counsel; despair, horror, and fright were depicted on the coun

tenance of the king, and on the features of his sister; stupor tied their tongues, and they both looked at the queen with astonishment. But this princess, yielding alike to the pride of her soul, and the danger of the moment, continued with force; I understand the meaning of your silence, I understand your reproach, I know that religion and reason condemn me, forbid and punish suicide, but why did God, who implanted in our hearts a desire for self preservation, implant also that, which prompts us to our own destruction? I mean this abhorrence for injuries, which arms vengeance, inviting reprisals, and employs, as it were, our hands to dig our own graves. Besides.....The king interrupted her with severity, it is enough, said he, perhaps too much. I attribute to your love the strange proposal, which you make, and under that consideration, I thank you. But I think, that, if it is not a crime to destroy oneself, to die for fear of dying is absolute nonsense. Let men judge of me, as opinion or prej udice may dictate, let them say that I died ignominiously, I can die nobly, if my peace is made with my own conscience, and my God... .The clock struck ten.

The king arose and made a sign to inform his family, that the parting moment had arrived.....The sobs, cries, and lamentations redoubled.....But, said the queen, we shall see you once more tomorrow !....Yes, brother!.... Yes, papa, repeated the sister and children. ....I promise it, said Louis; kiss me, and you, my wife, forgive me, if I answered you too abruptly. I know that you love me, and that your intentions are praise worthy; but, when you have reflected, you will feel convinced, that suicide, which never ought to be the resort of any one, is still less worthy of a king. Farewell, my dear Antoinette, my dear wife, farewell, be always a good mother, and remember me often to my dear children !.....The king's feelings were so overcome with these last words, that his sobs choked his voice; he leaned forward, extended his arms, and embraced his whole family, he pressed them to his heart wrung with agonizing despair !.....Then suddenly tearing himself from their close embrace.....adieu..... exclaimed he, in so moving an accent, that the tender Maria Theresa fell in a swoon. The door opened, the royal family was led away by two commissioners;

and while they filled the staircase with the lacerating cries of their despair, Louis XVI. overcome, was led to his closet.

He sunk into an arm chair, where he remained fifteen minutes, a prey to the struggle of his wounded heart, his silence was only interrupted by his sighs and tears. Clery, standing before him, wept bitterly; for my part, prostrated before the Almighty, I fervently besought him to grant the king the indispensable fortitude to consummate his sacrifice..

The king interrupted this religious silence; I am very weak, am I not, M. de Fermont, said he to me holding out his hand? But I trust God will not impute it to me as a crime to have forgotten him a moment to think of my family? Alas! they never shall see me again !.....Now I am wholly in the hands of my God, and ready to receive your friendly assistance.

Louis XVI. exposed to me briefly, but with much precision and order, his principles, opinions, and his conduct respecting the christian religion. I found him as learned as he was orthodox, and I had only to re