"What?" cried Joseph, raising his hands in astonishment, "the King of France has never visited the men who have suffered in his behalf! Sire, if you have neglected this sacred duty, you should hasten to repair the omission."
"What else did you see?" asked the queen, striving to cover the king's displeasure, and the contemptuous by-play of the Count de Provence.
"I visited the Foundling Hospital. To you, Antoinette, this hospital must possess especial interest."
"Oh, yes. I subscribe yearly to it from my private purse," said the
Queen.
"But surely you sometimes visit the pious sisters upon whom devolves the real burden of this charity, to reward them by your sympathy for their disinterested labors?"
"No, I have never been there," replied the queen, confused. "It is not allowed to the Queens of France to visit public benevolent institutions."
"And yet it is allowable for them to attend public balls at the opera-house!"
Marie Antoinette blushed and looked displeased. This sally of the emperor was followed by another blank pause, which finally was broken by himself.
"I also visited another noble institution," continued he, "that of the deaf mutes. The Abbe de l'Epee deserves the homage of the world for this monument of individual charity; for I have been told that his institution has never yet received assistance from the crown. My dear sister, I venture to ask alms of you for his unfortunate proteges. With what strength of love has he explored the dark recesses of their minds, to bear within the light of intelligence and cultivation! Think how he has rescued them from a joyless stupor, to place them by the side of thinking, reasoning and happy human beings! As soon as I return to Vienna, I shall found an institution for the deaf and dumb; I have already arranged with the abbe to impart his system to a person who shall be sent to conduct the asylum I propose to endow."
"I am happy to think that you meet with so many things in France worthy of your approval, count," remarked the king.