The family supped together, and the King, as usual, ate heartily. The municipals told off to watch the prisoners, stood during the meal, but this slight semblance of respect was soon to disappear.
Louis chatted cheerfully as to what their life should be—how he would be his son’s school-master—how the garden was large enough for exercise—how they should live, and employ the day. He even inspected the rooms, the beds, the linen; in a word, was once more the man he had always been—a rather quiet spirited, inquisitive, active, dull man.
But this respite lasted only during a few hours. The King had appointed the various bed-rooms, but before the Dauphin could be put to bed in the one set down as his, an order came from the authorities, ordering that the royal family should be lodged in the smaller tower.
They waited until after midnight before their new place of imprisonment was ready, and then themselves carried what was wanting to the tower. The King’s servant asking where his master was to be lodged, the municipal officer replied, “Your master has been living under gilded roofs; he will find none here, and learn at the same time how we lodge the murderers of the people.”
Madame Elizabeth was lodged in the kitchen, on the ground floor; the so-called Court on the second; the King, Queen, and children, on the floors above. The walls and the floors were bare, except for some obscene pictures on the walls, which the King took down, turning them to the wall.
The King went to bed, and fell asleep. Not so the Queen, who remained awake the whole night.
The next day, adapting himself to even these fallen circumstances, the King ordered the day’s plans; and pushing about the room, came upon a small collection of books, chiefly Latin—a discovery which once more brought a smile of pleasure to his face.
Ten days afterwards, 20th August, and when the royal family had retired for the night, the noise of many advancing feet awakened them. The authorities of the prison came armed with orders from Parliament, to deprive the royal family of every attendant who had hitherto followed their fortunes. The agony the Queen experienced upon parting with the Princess de Lamballe was intense.
“From this night,” cried Marie Antoinette, “I do date my captivity.”