Calvert of Strathore

of the rue St. Antoine, that the day arrived for the consummation of that great

e cruel cold of but a few weeks back was all but forgotten. And with the quickening pulse of nature the agitation and restless activity among all classes had increased. The whole kingdom of France was astir with the exci

and was out of all conceit with this political ferment, while as for Adrienne, she looked upon the opening of the States-General and the grand reception of the King on the 2d of May as splendid pageants merely, to which she would be glad to lend her presence and the lustre of her beaut

rris being provided for through the courtesy of the Duchesse d'Orléans, the three gentlemen left the Legation at six in the morning in Mr. Jefferson's coach. The grand route to Versailles was thronged with carriages and vehicles of every description, and the dust, heat, and confusion were indescribable. On their arrival, which was about ei

er invitation and were viewing the ever-increasing crowds in the streets from the great stone balcony draped with silken banners and rich velvet hangings. The British Ambassador and the Ambassadress, Lady Sutherland (whom Calvert had the honor of meeting for the first time), were there, as was Madame de Montmorin, Madame de Sta?l, and Madame de St. André, looking radiant in the

ne of the most momentous, one of the happiest in all her history. You see I ha

you say, but one of the happiest?-I don't know," and he looked dubiously at the thronged streets, for he was of Mr. Morris's way o

the only one of you who appreciates this great occasion-even Mr. Morris, who is usually so agreeable, seems to be out of spirits," and she glanced toward that gentleman where

asked, bowing with that charming show of deference which he always paid a pre

aying that you wore a displeased air almost as i

to make us far from indifferent spectators," and he glanced at Calvert as though certain of having expressed the young man's sentiments as well as his own. "The leaders here are our friends, many of them have imbibed their principles in America, and all have been fired by our example. If I wear an anxious air 'tis because I am not sure tha

sasters to France, but for the life of me I can't see what can happen without the King's authority, and surely so good a king will let no harm happen to his country. As for myself, I could bless the States-General for having furnished so gala

h a curious smile, and leaning over the ba

gh which the procession was to pass were one mass of silken banners and the richest stuffs depending from every window, every balcony. Crown tapestries lined the way in double row, and flowers in profusion were strewn along the streets. Vast throngs surged backward and forward, held in check by the soldiers of the splendid Maison du Roi and the Swiss troops, whil

parish clergy, and then in two close ranks walked the five hundred deputies of the tiers état in their sombre black garments and three-cornered hats. The silence which had so suddenly descended upon the great company was as suddenly broken at sight

Calvert," said Madame de St. André, mischievously, glancing from the young

those splendid birds of paradise," sa

e is Monsieur le Duc d'Orléans himself leading the noblesse," and she courtesied

lvert, he thought that in spite of the splendid appearance of the royal personage he had never seen a human countenance so repulsive and so depraved. The brutal, languid eye looked out at him from a face whose unwholesome complexion, heavy jaw, and sensual mouth sent a thrill of sickening disgust through him. As he gazed at the retre

t without some sadness, at the haughty beauty beside him, still flush

en guilty of some indiscretions"-she hesitated, biting her lip, and coloring slightly beneath Calvert's calm gaze-"but s

lied Calvert, quietly. "But I am glad to have such a good report of the Duke, as there are those who have been mistaken enough to doubt his bravery at Oues

a republican enragé and hate us for our fine feathers and rank of birth as cordially as

owd, for 'tis applauding someone among the noblesse now," and he stood up and looked over the balcony rail to better see the cause of the shout which

ng a handful of roses, which she had carried all morning, at the gentlemen, who uncovered and waved her their thanks. As they did so, a sudden blare of tru

o Mr. Morris, who had again come up, having been dismisse

"and the play itself is like enough to be a trage

and Berry and the King's two brothers, Monsieur and the Comte d'Artois. Near the Holy Sacrament marched the cardinals, bishops, and archbishops elected to the States-General, and in the throng Calvert quickly and easily detected by his halting step his acquaintance, the Bishop of Autun. About His Majesty walked the hig

h trembled with excitement. She had scarce said a word the whole morning and had sat staring with troubled face at

ys," she cried, enthusiastically, "the day for which my father has labored so

uc de Chartres and Monsieur de Beaujolais! Tis strange the Duc d'Orléans is not near the King. He curries favor with the multitude by abandoning his sovereign on this crucial day and putting himself forward as an elected deputy of the States-General! And there to the left of His

hy at the Queen, who sat rigid, palely smiling in her golden coach. "Did you not know that the Dauphin is very ill? 'Tis

in the face, cried out, shrilly, "Long live d'Orléans!" The pallid Queen sank back, as though struck, into the arms of the Princess de Lamb

y expression on her beautiful face, she looks as might have looked some Athenian maiden decked for sacrifice. Indeed, all the noblesse have a curious air of fatality about them, or so it seems to me, and somehow look as if

ide Madame de Tessé and came over to wh

ectionate manner, on Calvert's shoulder. "The King has a benevolent, open countenance, do you not think so

broke in Mr. Morris, warmly, "if she is to bear up b

n, coldly, for he disliked and distrusted Marie Antoinette profoundly, and always believed that she was largely responsible for the terrible disasters which overtook Fran

n one o'clock when the last gilded coach, the last splendid rider, followed by the rabble, who closed in and pushed on behind to the Church of Saint Louis, had passed beneath Madame de Tessé's balcony. Some of her guests, having billets for the church reserved for them, entered their carriages and drove thither; the others, being weary with the long wait and excitement of the morning, accepted their hostess's invitation to breakfast, content to hear later of the celebration of mass in the Church of Saint Louis. Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Morris,

id her adieu. "By the way, Mr. Jefferson tells me he is to present you to their Majesties to-morrow evening," s

tly, "you forget that I have mad

ceding day, the road was thronged with coaches, all making their way to the temporary capital. Madame de Flahaut (to whom Mr. Morris bowed very low, though he looked a little piqued when he saw Monsieur de Curt

erday, eh, Ned?" said Mr. Morris, looking after Madame de St. André, and the

sure but that the unruffled serenity of your manner before the ladies advances you more in their estimation than does Mr. Jefferson's evident devotion to

n the glittering assemblage. For, early as the hour was, the great balcony was already crowded, while the floor was slowly filling with the deputies ushered in one after the other by Monsieur de Brézé with the greatest ceremony. No more brilliant throng had ever come together in that spacious Salle des Menus Plaisirs, and assuredly on no more momentous occasion. As Mr. Calvert looked about him at the splendid scene, at the great semicircular hall, with its Ionic columns, at the balcony crowded with thousands of magnificently dressed courtiers and beautiful women, upon whose

unate to be here to see it. Tis the birth-hour of a new nation, if I mistake not. For the first time in

does not foresee the result, or there wou

retorted Mr. Jefferson, somewhat test

e hall. Even the sombre mass of the tiers roused themselves to enthusiasm, which was redoubled when Monsieur le Duc d

. Morris to Calvert. "He is as thirst

nd in English, Madame de St. An

eem to be in a conspir

he said, tur

d her back once more to the gentlemen and her attention to the assemblage. Mr. Calvert, who sat directly behind her, could only see the pink ear and outline of the fair, displeased face thus turned away,

n," and he looked hard at the seamed, scarred visage, at the gloomy eyes, shining darkly in their great sockets, at the immense, burly figure of the man who was forcing his way contemptuously past the gal

lux. "There is something terrible in his face, as yo

ry, for no dependence can be placed in him. He cannot even further his own interests, for he is his own worst enemy. No association with such a character can be either profitable or permanent. Listen! he is being hissed!" It was true. A faint but perfectly audible murmur of dis

ile away the seemingly interminable wait before the court appeared. It was one o'clock when the heralds-at-arms, amid a profound silence, announced the approach of the King and Queen. As His Majesty made his appearance at the door, the silence was broken by tumultuous cries of "Long live the

isters below and in front), there was another call from the heralds-at-arms, and Marie Antoinette, beautiful, pallid, and haughty-looking, appeared at the entrance, accompanied b

Morris, very audibly. But though many hear him, not a sound is made, and at the cruel s

ubject of the Queen she should have one loyal servitor, at l

d jewels, a sombre spot in the brilliant assemblage, the tiers sat facing their sovereign. It was ominous-or so it seemed to Mr. Calvert-that the tiers should thus divide the two orders naturally most closely allied, and should sit as if in opposition or menace over against their King. And it was to them that the King seemed to speak or

side, and, for the first time, a faint "Vive la Reine!" was heard. At the sound a quick blush of pleasure showed in her pallid cheeks and she courtesied low to the throng with such divine grace that

Flahaut, to the great discomfiture of Monsieur de Curt-into his coach and drove directly to Madame de Tessé's, where they found apartments ready for them for the night and w