Madame Royale, to confirm the statement concerning her ill-health, did not quit her bed; the queen and Madame Elizabeth remained near her.
At eleven o'clock Santerre arrived. His coming was, as usual, announced by the drums beating the march, and by the entrance of a fresh battalion and other municipals, who came in their turn to relieve those on guard.
When Santerre had fully reviewed the battalion leaving, and the one about to take its place, and had paraded his large heavy-limbed horse round the court of the Temple, he stood still for a moment. This was for the purpose of receiving any claims, denunciations, or requests.
The municipal, availing himself of this halt, approached him.
"Well, what do you want?" said Santerre, bruskly.
"Citizen," said the municipal, "I come to entreat on the part of the queen—"
"Who is the queen?" interrupted Santerre.
"True!" said the municipal, astonished at his own mistake. "What have I said—I must be mad! I came to speak on the part of Madame Veto—"
"All in good time," said Santerre. "Now I understand you, what have you to say to me?"