In serving the cause of the States he felt that he was promoting the cause of the liberty of mankind. France might one day feel its reaction, burst her old bonds, and become a giant republic.
France arose to meet him on his return. Havre threw out her banners to welcome his ship. He was acclaimed, feasted, and lauded everywhere, until he longed to fly to some retreat from all of this adoration of a simple young general.
The Queen, Marie Antoinette, admired him, and became his patron. She received him and delighted to hear from him about America and the character of Washington. Lafayette delighted the Queen with his story of Washington.
After these interviews, in which Lafayette saw that he had secured her favor for the American cause, the Queen had an interview with Dr. Franklin.
“Do you know,” said the Queen to Franklin, “that Lafayette has really made me fall in love with your General Washington. What a man he must be, and what a friend he has in the Marquis!”
The court opened its doors to meet him. The King welcomed him. All Paris acclaimed him. The people of France were all eager to hear of him.
What an opportunity! Lafayette seized upon it. He was not moved by the flattery of France. Every heart-beat was full of his purposes to secure aid for America.
This he did.
“I will send a fleet to America,” said the King.
The young King was popular then, and this decision won for him the heart of liberty-enkindled France.