Crowds flocked to the chateau, to assure themselves of the fact--they questioned the guards--inveighed against the traitors--every one believed that some conspiracy was on the point of breaking out.

The name of M.de La Fayette, coupled with invectives, was on every tongue.

"Is he a fool--is he a confederate?
how is it possible that so many of the royal family could have passed the gates--the guards--without connivance ?" The doors were forced open, to enable the people to visit the royal apartments.
Divided between stupor and insult, they avenged themselves on inanimate objects, for the long respect with which these dwellings of kings had inspired them--and they passed from awe to derision.

A portrait of the king was taken from the bed-chamber and hung up at the gate of the chateau, as an article of furniture for sale.

A fruit woman took possession of the queen's bed, to sell her cherries in, saying, "It is to-day the nation's turn to take their ease." A cap of the queen's was placed on the head of a young girl, but she exclaimed it would sully her forehead, and trampled it under foot with indignation and contempt.