A dagger-proof corset had also been prepared for the queen without her knowledge. She, however, could not be persuaded to wear it. "If they assassinate _me_," she said, "it will be a most happy event. It will release me from the most sorrowful existence, and may save from a cruel death the rest of the family." The 14th of July arrived. The king, queen, and dauphin were marched, like captives gracing an Oriental triumph, at the head of the procession, from the palace to the Champ de Mars. With pensive features and saddened hearts they passed along through the single file of soldiers, who were barely able to keep at bay the raging mob, furious for their blood, and maledictions fell heavily upon their ears from a thousand tongues. The fountain of tears was dry, and despair had nerved them with stoicism. They returned to the palace in the deepest dejection, and never again appeared in the streets of Paris till they were borne to their execution. CHAPTER IX. IMPRISONMENT IN THE TEMPLE. 1792 Apprehension of poison.--The queen daily insulted.--An assassin in the queen's chamber.--The allied army.--Parties in France.--The Royalists, Girondists, and Jacobins.--Consternation in Paris.--The king's dethronement.--Scene from the palace.--Gathering of the mob.--The queen with her children.--Brutal remarks of the troops.--Rising of the sun.--Disaffection of the troops.--Extremity of the royal family.--Spirit of the queen.--The king's calmness.--The mother and the queen.--The royal family take refuge in the Assembly.--The king's speech.--The square box.--The king's serenity.--The mob at the palace.--Brutal massacre of the king's friends.--The mob sack the palace.--The dead bodies of the Royalists burned.--The king dethroned.--The royal family removed to the Feuillants.--Bitter sufferings of the royal family.--Taken back to the Assembly.--The royal family consigned to the Temple.--Advance of the allies.--Inhuman massacre.--Description of the Temple.--Tower of the Temple.--Apartments of the royal family.--Obscene pictures.--Resources of the prison.--Employments of the royal family.--Severe restrictions.--Manner of obtaining news.--The Princess Lamballe.--Maria's letter to the Princess de Lamballe.--She rejoins the queen.--The princess separated from the queen.--She is thrown into prison.--Trial of the princess.--She refuses to swear.--Assassination of the princess.--Brutality of the mob.--Dreadful apprehensions.--Increased severities.--The queen grossly insulted.--The king separated from his family.--Wretched state of the king.--The queen's anguish at the separation.--The king sees his family occasionally.--Condition of the captives.