Was it an accident where so many were inexperienced in arms or an attempt at regicide?
"Some clumsy fellow," said he coolly: "gentlemen, you ought to be careful—an accident soon happens."
Apart from this shot, there was a calmer atmosphere to step into. The uproar ceased at the house door: murmurs of compassion were heard; the table was laid out with elegance astonishing the captives. There were servants also, but Charny claimed their work for himself and the other Lifeguards, hiding under the pretended humility, the intention to stay close to the King for any event.
Marie Antoinette understood this; but in her heart rumbled Billet's words about Charny's wife, like a storm brewing.
Charny, whom she had expected to take away from France, to live abroad with her, was now returning to Paris to see his wife Andrea again!
He was ignorant of this ferment in her heart, from not supposing she had heard the words; besides, he was busy over some freshly conceived hopes. Having been sent in advance to study the route he had conscientiously fulfilled his errand. He knew the political tone of even each village. Chalons had a royalist bias from it being an old town, without trade, work or activity, peopled by nobles, retired business men and contented citizens.
Scarcely were the royal party at table than the County Lieutenant, whose house they were in, came to bow to the Queen, who looked at him uneasily from having ceased to expect anything good, and said:
"May it please your Majesty to let the maids of Chalons offer flowers?"
"Flowers?" repeated she, looking with astonishment from him to Lady Elizabeth. "Pray, let them come."
Shortly after, twelve young ladies, the prettiest they could find in the town, tripped up to the threshold where the Queen held out her arms to them. One of them who had been taught a formal speech, was so effected by this warm greeting that she forgot it all and stammered the general opinion: