'They are hungry,' cried Mounier; 'the women clamour for bread.'
'But you should have asked bread of the municipality,' said Saint-Priest, addressing Madeleine.
'We went to the Hôtel de Ville,' she replied, 'and we found no one there.'
The king, whose eye had rested on Gabrielle, saw that she was deadly pale. He asked her if she were ill.
'Sire,' she answered, 'I am tired and faint.'
The king filled a goblet with wine, and took it to her and made her drink. She thanked him with a speaking look, and tasted it; but at the same moment every object swam before her eyes, and she fainted away. When she returned to herself, the king was stooping over her. He gave her smelling-salts, and sprinkled water on her brow. Madeleine fanned her and she recovered.
Louis gave a written order for the immediate supply of food to Paris, and handed a copy to Madeleine, who rushed down the court, shouting 'Long live the king!' She held Gabrielle's arm in hers, and passed outside the railing, and between the soldiers to the crowd, to show them the order.
Instantly it was discovered that the copy was not signed, and they were constrained to return to the king and request his signature.
When they reappeared, the women outside were in a state of violent exasperation; they had taken it into their heads that Madeleine had been bribed; and they cried out that the king had given her twenty-five louis-d'or. In vain did the girl empty her pockets to show there was no money there; they then assaulted Gabrielle. A great commotion arose. Some cried out, 'These girls have betrayed us. They have sold us to the queen!' and a thousand voices screamed, 'Hang the traitors!'