"You forget that I am the mother of others, and I ought not do as you suggest--disinherit them in favor of a stranger."
"If thus it be," replied Gilbert with profound sorrow, "wrap your children up in your royal robe, in the war-cloak of Maria Theresa, and carry them with you far from France; for you spoke the truth in saying that the people will devour you and your offspring with you. But there is no time to lose--make haste!"
"Nothing could fall more timely," said the Queen, "for we have a nobleman ready to act in this escape----"
"Do you mean Marquis Favras?" demanded Gilbert, with apprehension.
"Who breathed you his name--who communicated to you his project?"
"Oh, have a care, for a bloody prediction pursued him also."
"Of the same Prophet? what fate awaits him?"
"Untimely, terrible and infamous like that you mentioned."
"Then you speak truly--no time must be lost in giving the lie to this prophet of evil."
"You were going to tell Favras that you accepted his aid?"
"He was advised and I am awaiting his reply."
She had not long to wait, for Isidore Charny was ushered in by the Princess Lamballe.
"I am told that I may speak before Dr. Gilbert," said he. "Then, know that Marquis Favras was arrested an hour ago and imprisoned in the Chatelet."
Bright but despairing and full of ire, the Queen's glance crossed that of the doctor. All her wrath seemed spent in that flash.
"Madam," said Gilbert with deep pity, "if I can be useful in any way, make use of me. I lay at your feet my mind, my life, my devotion."
"Dr. Gilbert," she said in a slow and resigned voice, "is it your opinion that the death given by this dread engine is as sweet as the inventor asserts?"
As the news of Favras' arrest had circulated over the palace in a few seconds, Count Provence went to his brother. His advice was that Favras should be repudiated and the King take the oath to the Constitution.
"But how can I swear fidelity to an incomplete Constitution?"
"The more easily," replied the schemer, with his false squint which came from the darkest sinuosities of his soul.
"I will," said the King: "this does not prevent my writing to Marquis Bouille that our plan is postponed. This will give Charny time to regulate the route."