“What! a fog in the middle of June?” said she. “In truth, unless I manufactured one on purpose to hide our flight, which people talk so much about, I do not know where I should find one.”
“The fact is, madame,” replied the General, “people not only talk about your flight, but I have received information that it will take place this evening.”
“Ah!” said the Queen; “I engage that it is M. de Gouvion who has given you that good news.”
“Why I, madame?” said the young officer, blushing.
“I do not know,” replied the Queen, “except that, perhaps, you hear a great deal more than is true at the château. Wait! Here is M. Romeuf, who hears no news; I am sure he will contradict the rumor.”
“There is no great credit in doing that, madame,” said the young man, “when the King has given his word to the Assembly not to leave Paris.”
At ten o clock, General Lafayette and his aides-de-camp retired.
When they were gone, the Queen and Madame Elizabeth summoned their domestics to perform the necessary offices of their toilettes, and at eleven, as was their custom, they retired for the night.
The doors shut, each commenced to dress.
The Queen and Madame Elizabeth assisted each other. They had some plain dresses, and hats, with hoods, to hide the face.