CHAPTER VII.
THE KING'S MESSENGER.
On the morning of the second of April, an hour before Mirabeau yielded up his last breath, a superior officer of the navy, wearing his full dress uniform of captain, entered the Tuileries Palace like one to whom the ways were familiar.
He took the private stairs to the King's apartments, where, by the study, a valet saw him and uttered a cry of surprise.
"Hue," he said, laying a finger on his lips, "can the King receive me?"
"His Majesty gave word that you were to be shown in whenever you arrived."
He opened a door and as a proof that the King was alone, he called out:
"The Count of Charny!"