The Assembly was not present, but it had sent twenty deputies.
Lafayette cleared a pathway from the terrace to the palace door. He constructed an iron arch with the muskets and bayonets of the National Guard.
“M. Barnave,” again cried the Queen, “I ask you to protect my three guards.”
The children first descended, and entered the palace without opposition. It was then the turn of the three guards, for whom the Queen had asked protection from M. Lafayette and M. Barnave.
Then there came a terrible outcry.
I had left my horse at the top of the Champs Elysées, and marched with the grenadiers on foot. At first, they tried to turn me out, but the King said, “Let him alone; he is a friend.”
They did leave me alone. M. Pétion gave me a side glance; M. Barnave smiled.
The King and Queen looked to see what would happen to the three guards; the King gazed with his usual apathy, the Queen with intense interest.
The sabres and pikes of the National Guard waved over them as they shouted, “Death to the traitors!”