"Which I grieve you should share," added Louis.
"Allow me to say, Sire, that the future may not be so lamentable," interposed Gilbert, who pitied the dethroned rulers; "a despotic monarchy has ceased, but a constitutional one commences."
"Am I the man to found that in France?" asked the King.
"Why not?" exclaimed the Queen, catching some hope from Gilbert's suggestion.
"Madam, I see clearly. From the day when I walk among men like themselves, I lose all the factitious strength necessary to govern France as the Louis before me did. The French want a master and one who will wield the sword. I feel no power to strike."
"Not to strike those who would rob your children of their estate," cried the Queen, "and who wish to break the lilies on your crown?"
"What am I to answer? if I answer No, I raise in you one of those storms which embitter my life. You know how to hate—so much the better for you. You can be unjust; I do not reproach you, for it is an excellent trait in the lordly. Madam, we must resign ourselves: it takes strength to push ahead this car with scythe-bladed wheels, and we lack strength."
"That is bad, for it will run over our children," sighed Marie Antoinette.
"I know it, but we shall not be pushing it."
"We can draw it back, Sire."