Much was said of secret relations between Barnave and the king, of a planned flight, of concealed measures; but these rumours, accredited by La Fayette himself in his Memoirs, had not then burst forth; and even at this present period they are doubtful.

"The object which ought to occupy us," said Barnave, "is to re-establish the confidence in him to whom it belongs.
There is a man against whom popular movement would fain create distrust, that I firmly believe is undeserved; let us throw ourselves between this distrust and the people.

We must have a concentrated, a central force, an arm to act, when we have but one single head to reflect.

M.de La Fayette, since the commencement of the revolution, has evinced the opinions and the conduct of a good citizen.

It is absolutely necessary that he should retain his credit with the nation.