No Fersen!
Barnave breathed, smiled, and became positively charming.
Barnave was young, handsome, polished, of fascinating manners, and felt great commiseration for the unfortunate royal party.
In place of the Queen seducing Barnave, Barnave almost seduced the Queen.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
BARNAVE AND PETION.
One naturally asks how I became acquainted with all this.
I have already said that, on leaving Varennes, I had taken a place on the back of the carriage of the King. Happily, I had managed to retain my position, despite the heat, the fatigue, and the dust. Twice only, for a few minutes, had I quitted my location; firstly, to try and assist M. de Dampierre, and, secondly, to procure the water for Madame Elizabeth and the Dauphin. Both times, on my return, I recovered my place. The glass windows of the berlin were let down on account of the heat, and the royal family, not speaking in very low voices, I managed to hear pretty well all that was said.
This explanation given, I will continue my story, with the history of the rudeness of Pétion, and the courtesy of Barnave.