"Well, what am I to do? supposing, as is natural enough, I do not want to be drowned or burned."
"We must not open the sluices to the flood or windows to the flame. But pardon me forgetting that I should not speak thus, even on a royal order----"
"But you will on a royal entreaty. Count Charny, the King entreats you--to continue."
"Well, Sire, there are two strata of the lower orders, the soil and the mud; the one which may be reposed upon and the other which will yield and smother one. Distrust one and rest on the other."
"Count, you are repeating at two hours' interval, what Dr. Gilbert told me."
"Sire, how is it that after taking the advice of a learned man, you ask that of a poor naval officer like me?"
"Because there is a wide difference between you, I believe. Dr. Gilbert is devoted to royalty and you to the King. If the principle remains safe, he would let the King go."
"Then there is a difference between us, for the King and the principle are inseparable for me," responded the nobleman; "under this head it is that I beg your Majesty to deal with me."
"First, I should like to hear to whom you would apply in this space of calm between two storms perhaps, to efface the wreck made by one and soothe the coming tempest."
"If I had the honor and the misfortune to be the wearer of the crown, I should remember the cheers I heard round my carriage, and I should hold out my hands to General Lafayette and Member Mirabeau."
"Can you advise this when you detest one and scorn the other?"
"My sympathies are of no moment, the whole question is the safety of the crown and the salvation of the monarchy."
"Just what Dr. Gilbert says," muttered the hearer as though speaking to himself.
"Sire, I am happy to be in tune with such an eminent man."
"But if I were to agree to such a union and there should be failure, what think you I ought to do?"
"Think of your safety and your family's."
"I should propose that your Majesty should retire with such regiments as are reliable and the true nobles to some fortified place."
"Ah," said the King with a radiant face: "but among the commanders who have given proof of devotion, you knowing them all, to which would you confide this dangerous mission, of guarding and removing the King?"