And yet, on the day when he could have caused Lafayette to be proclaimed Mayor of Paris, he nominated Pétion.
It was because the Queen hated Lafayette more than the King detested Pétion.
As for the Queen, no one knows what passed between her and Barnave, except through the account which she afterwards gave to Madame Campan.
The impression which the young representative produced on the Queen may be summed up in those words.
“If ever power returns into our hands, the pardon of Barnave is assured in our hearts.”
The Queen was ready to pardon Barnave for his rebellion; France did not pardon him for his weakness.
The unhappy orator paid with his head for the few moments of happiness he spent with this second Marie Stuart.
Perchance he had the same honor as Mirabeau, of kissing her hand.
