Section 103. THE DRAMA OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1848. III.
Reading edition
The audience[1] is already touched[2]. The poor king looks around him for[3] advice; no[4] one offers it; even the Prime Minister of[5] yesterday is dumb; and in[6] another instant the[7] deed is done. The King has abdicated in[8] favour of his grandson[9]. Behind the scenes[10] you (S. 92, N. 5) hear sounds[11] of tumult and disorder, and your[12] heart is already beating for the issue. The King doffs[13] his robes[14], places his sword upon the table, and[15], dressed (S. 102, N. 3) as a private gentleman[16], is evidently anxious[17] to depart. The Queen would[18] fain meet the coming danger, but his[19] Majesty has already ordered the carriages. The horses are put[20] to, but horses and groom are shot[21] by the multitude[22]. A broad path leads from[23] the palace garden[24], and at the end[25] of it a friendly hand[26] has brought two hired coaches[27]. “Let[28] us go,” exclaims the Monarch, and, leaning (S. 53, N. 12) heavily[29] upon the Queen, whose[30] head is high and erect, he hurries on. The coaches are[31] reached; the fugitives escape[32]. They arrive at St. Cloud[33], at Versailles, but not to (S. 19, N. 7. Supply the adv. dort) stay. On[34] they go, and at half-past eleven o’clock at night they descend at Dreux[35].