Very few of us had any money to supply our wants, and those who had
soon lent it all to the more distressed. The Queen herself was
obliged to borrow from the Princess Dowager, even to provide food,
and the keeping up of separate tables was impossible. We all dined
together, King and Queen, Monsieur, Madame, and all, and the first
day there was nothing but a great pot au feu and the bouilli out of
it; for the cooks had not arrived. Even the spoons and knives were
so few that we had to wash them and use them in turn. However, it
was all gaiety on those first days, the Queen was so merry that it
was every one's cue to be the same; and as to the King and the Duke
of Anjou, they were full of mischief; it was nothing but holiday to
them to have no Court receptions.
At eight o'clock in the evening there came a deputation from Paris.
They were kept waiting outside in the snow while the Queen considered
whether to receive them; and she could hardly be persuaded to allow
them to sleep under shelter at St. Germain, though on the road at
that time of night they were in danger from brigands, traveling
soldiers, and I know not what!
They were at last admitted to the ranger's lodgings, and had an
interview with the Chancellor, who was harsh and peremptory, perhaps
feeling himself avenged for his troubles and fright on the day of the
barricades.
When I heard that the President Darpent was among the deputation I
sent Nicolas to find out whether his son were there; and by and by I
received a little billet, which excited much more attention than I
wished.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237