Note 9 — Chapter II · The Night of Varennes[6]

Élisabeth Philippine Marie Hélène, sister of Louis XVI, was born at Versailles, May 3, 1764, and was guillotined May 10, 1794. Of her courage at the scaffold, Carlyle says “Another row of tumbrils we must notice: that which holds Élisabeth, the sister of Louis. Her trial was like the rest, for plots, for plots. She was among the kindliest, most innocent of women. There sat with her, amid four-and-twenty others, a once timorous Marchioness de Crussol, courageous now, expressing toward her the liveliest loyalty. At the foot of the scaffold, Élisabeth, with tears in her eyes, thanked this marchioness, said she was grieved she could not reward her. ‘Ah! Madame, would your Royal Highness deign to embrace me, my wishes were complete.’ ‘Right willingly, Marquise de Crussol, and with my whole heart.’”