The Peasant And the Prince

anxiety of their friends : that the danger appeared indeed as pressing as it could be represented ; but that some prudence was necessary on the part of those who were preparing help, and some patience on the part of those who were awaiting it. Alas! it was difficult for the poor Queen to be patient, expecting, as she did daily, the murder of the King. Though this fear seems to have been unfounded, it caused her as much suffering as if it had been just. She had a breastplate made for the King, of silk many times folded, and well wadded, so that it would resist the blow of a dagger, and even a pistol-ball. This under-dress was made at Madame Campan's house ; and she brought it into the palace, wearing it as an under-petticoat, that no one might see it. For three days, in the beginning of July, did Madame Campan wear this heavy warm petticoat before an opportunity could be found for the King to try it on. The occasion for which it was wanted was the 14th of July, the anniversary of the destruction of the Bastille, and the date of the Independence of the Nation, as the nation chose to say ; on which day the King was to appear in public. When he tried on the breastplate, he said in a low voice to Madame Campan, that he wore this to satisfy the Queen, but that he was persuaded he should not be assassinated, but left to be disposed of in another way. The Queen afterwards made Madame Campan repeat to her what the King had said, and then observed that this was not new t... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.