Page:Peterson Magazine 1869B.pdf/60

MARIE ANTOINETTE'S TALISMAN. 65 revolutionary clubs, had they not already begun to, uproot all that was holy in social life? In order to gain liberty, were they not giving up religion, and trampling down all the beautiful influences of home-life?.. He looked at Margue- rite where she stood, in all the gentle purity of young maidenhood, wondering if she could ever be drawn into the vortex of those revolutionary clubs in which he was a leading spirit. Why not? Others as young, as lovely, and as good, had followed the ery of liberty and equality into places quite as dangerous and unnatural. Might not the time arrive when in the turmoil. and dis- organization of a government which France was beginning to hate, even he might seize on any help, and urge her, and creatures innocent and enthusiastic like her, into the surrender of  everything that makes a woman's life beautiful, in order to obtain that political liberty which France never knew how to use or keep.

Monsieur Jaque sat moodily in a corner of the room, and thought these things over as Marguerite knelt by her mother, and told her in detail all that had happened during her sojourn at Versailles. He saw that the narrative was more to convince the mother that her husband's re- lease was a reality than all his reasoning could have done. Once or twice he observed a faint smile quiver across that firm mouth, while Mar- guerite caught the infection as flowers meet the sunshine, and laughed while telling Dame Til- lery’s mishap. Jaque felt the influence of this low, rippling laugh, a sound he had never heard in that gloomy place before, and thought to him- self how naturally happiness brought, back all the soft, sweet traits of womanhood in these two persons.

‘No, no!” he said, “from the strongest to the weakest, women should be the creatures of our care and protection. It is unnatural that they should struggle and fight for us—more unna- tural that we should assail them. Thank God that this great happiness will rescue this noble woman from the vortex toward which she was drifting! The moment her husband is free, I will myself take them across the frontier. In their old home they shall find rest while the storm bursts over France.”

“‘Monsieur Jaque!” -

Jaque started up and went to the door, which had been slightly opened. Mirabeau.

“Come out, I would speak with you in your own room,” said the count, abruptly. “It seems to me you are never at home now.”

“But you know where to find me,” said Jaque, good-humoredly.

“Yes, always with these women. I think the girl has bewitched you; my friend.’

Jaque made no answer, but his face flushed crimson as'he unlocked the door of his own room, and stood back for Mirabeau to enter,

Well, what have you that will give me plea- sure!” demanded the count, the moment they were alone.

‘‘Nothing, my count; but I fear much that will anger you.”

‘‘From that woman? Well, speak out. It will only be another rejection of the power that could save her.”

Mirabeau refused a seat, and kept walking rudely up and down the chamber like a wild  beast in its cage. While Jaque hesitated how to tell his story best, he,turned fiercely upon him.

“Well, my, friend, has the, Austrian struck you dumb?”’

No, count; but I can scarcely relate my in- terview with a hope that you will understand it as I did. The words were discouraging enough; there was something in the king’s manner that convinced me of his wish to accept your help.”

‘“‘No doubt. He’ has some little discernment; but the woman is guided entirely by her pre- judices. Tell me. what she said.”

Jaque did tell him word for word; but he said nothing of the look of scornful pride that made each syllable so bitter. Mirabeau paused in his walk and listened.

“And this was all?” he said, when Jaque paused, ‘Why, man, this is better news than I expected—the woman leaves a loop-hole for the future; the stubborn pride would not all come down at once, but it is yielding. We must not speak discouragingly to my father, or all his generous plans may freeze up again. He hns set his proud, old heart.on making me the sovereign of the monarchy-and so it may be, Jaque; so it shall be.”

“But the people—who shall save them?” ques- tioned Jaque, a little sternly; for, with all his fond admiration of the man, he could not blind himself to the sublime egotism of this speech, or the selfishness which inspired the man.

Mirabeau turned suddenly ; the grand ugliness of his face was illuminated by a smile.

“Will you never understand, my friend? When Mirabeau has saved the monarchy, he will, in fact, be king. This haughty queen once at his feet the creature of his power, subdued by his genius, as many a woman, proud and self sufficient as she is, has been, who shall dare oppose any reform he may decide upon for the consolidation of his power, or the benefit of the people? Mirabeau is already made sovereign,