"Another minute," urged Roderer, "perhaps another second, and it is impossible to guarantee your life, and perhaps that of your husband and children."
"My children!" cried the queen, throwing her arms around them, and drawing them to her breast. "No, oh no, I will not give them over to the knife!"
One sigh, one last sob, burst from her lips, and then she released herself from the children, and approached the king and his ministers.
"This is the last sacrifice," she said, heavily, "that I can offer. I submit myself, M. Roderer," and then with louder tones, as if she wanted to call all present to be witnesses, she continued, "will you pledge yourself for the person of the king, and for that of my son?"
"Madame," answered Roderer, solemnly, "I pledge myself for this, that we are all ready to die at your side. That is all that I can promise."
And now the noblemen and the grenadiers pressed up to take the king and queen in their escort.
"For God's sake," cried Roderer, "no demonstration, or the king is lost!
"Remain, my friends," said the king, stolidly, "await our return here."
"We shall soon return," said Marie Antoinette; and leading her two children, she followed the king, who walked slowly through the hall. Princess Lamballe and Madame Tourzel brought up the rear.
It was done. The dying monarchy left the royal palace to put itself under the protection of the revolution, which was soon to give birth to the republic.