"The Queen but awaits the hour of putting it into practice to inform his Majesty of it," answered the Count. "Nevertheless, the King has already consented to the assembling of a corps of the army at Versailles. That is a first step gained."
"But if the King should refuse to follow the plan? What course do you then expect to take?" persisted Victoria.
"It will go through without the consent of Louis XVI. If necessary, we shall proceed to depose him. Then Monseigneur the Count of Provence will be declared Lieutenant-General of the kingdom, and the Queen, Regent, with a council of unbending royalists. Then we shall see courts-martial and firing squads in permanence! Volleys unceasing!"
"It is done for royalty if the court dare put its plan, into execution," muttered Victoria to herself. "To-morrow the Bastille will be taken." Then, rising, her face glowing with animation, and holding her glass aloft, she called, in her brilliant voice:
"To the death of the Revolution! To the re-establishment of Royalty! To the triumph of the Church! To the Queen!"
And catching her fire, the whole company, with one voice, cried:
"Death to the Revolution!"
"Meet me to-morrow morning at Versailles, gentlemen, in battle," cried Plouernel.
And all except the Abbot shouted back the reply:
"In battle! We shall all be at Versailles to deal the people its death-blow!"