At this second examination, they gave the King a suit of clothing, in which he looked at worst passable. But another shape of indignity was put upon him: he was kept waiting in a cold waiting-room during a whole hour. The King was advised not to shave, that the savagery of his gaolers in even depriving him of so common a necessary as a razor should move his judges. But the King refused to avail himself of this theatrical effect. He was rather fitted to fall with dignity into the repose of death, than to war, fight, battle for life. Louis XVI forgave the men who were to condemn him before they tried him; but his very pardon became his most perfect revenge in the eyes of posterity. The King’s counsel spoke logically, but with no power of words. Having finished, Louis XVI, who had followed his advocate as though rather interested for this gentleman than for himself, rose and uttered these words:— “You have now heard the grounds of my defence, and I shall not repeat them. In speaking to you for the first, and perhaps the last, time, I declare that I can accuse myself of nothing; that my advocate has spoken the truth, and nothing but the truth. I never feared that all I did should be made public, but I grieve that you accuse me of spilling the blood of the people. And that the misfortunes of the 10th of August are attributed to me. I had thought that the numerous evidences of love for my people which I have shown would have placed me above such an accusation. This is not the case, and I must bear with what has happened. I declare that I exposed my life to save the shedding of one drop of the blood of my people.” He turned, and left the chamber. “Let him be judged!” cried Bazere. “’Tis time the nation learns if she is right in wishing to be free, and if this is a crime!” “I ask,” cried Languinais, “that the sentence be declared by a ballot of all France!” “To prison with Languinais!” cried many voices. “You are too openly a Royalist,” cried Thuriot. “Why,” cried another, “he wills to try us, and make Louis himself judge.” “And I say,” replied Languinais, fearlessly, “that you constitute yourselves accusers, judges, jury, and executioners. Let the people declare themselves! Let there be liberty of speech, to declare whether the King shall live or die.” “Down with him!” cried a voice. “You shall hear me,” cried Languinais. “Put him upon his trial! place him in the dock, and let him instantly be tried!” “To prison with him!” Silence was at last restored; but when Languinais sat down, he knew he was a condemned man—he knew nothing could save him. Meanwhile, in an ante-chamber, where the murmurs of his judges were audible, the King’s counsel were endeavoring to cheer him with a little hope. The people had demonstrated with somewhat of kindly feeling in favor of the King at various theatres.