"Thank you, count," said the Queen to Charny, "but M. Barnave has divined my want and I have no farther need of you."
Charny bowed without a word and returned to his place. The Dauphin thanked the member, and the King asked him to sit down between the boy and the Queen to partake of the meal, bad as it was.
Charny beheld the scene without a spark of jealousy. But he said, on seeing this poor moth singe its wings at the royal light:
"Still another going to destruction! a pity, for he is worth more than the others." But returning to his thought, he muttered: "This letter, what can be in this letter?"
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CENTRE OF CATASTROPHES.
After the repast, the King called the three Lifeguards into council with the Queen and Lady Elizabeth.
"Gentlemen," he began, "yesterday, M. Petion proposed that you should flee in disguise, but the Queen and I opposed the plan for fear it was a plot. This day he repeats the offer, pledging his honor as a representative, and I believe you ought to hear the idea."