Now too is witnessed the touching last-flicker of Etiquette; which sinks not here, in the Cimmerian World-wreckage, without a sign, as the house-cricket might still chirp in the pealing of a Trump of Doom. ‘Monsieur,’ said some Master of Ceremonies (one hopes it might be de Brézé), as Lafayette, in these fearful moments, was rushing towards the inner Royal Apartments, ‘_Monsieur, le Roi vous accorde les grandes entrées_, Monsieur, the King grants you the Grand Entries,’—not finding it convenient to refuse them![254] Chapter 1.7.XI. From Versailles. However, the Paris National Guard, wholly under arms, has cleared the Palace, and even occupies the nearer external spaces; extruding miscellaneous Patriotism, for most part, into the Grand Court, or even into the Forecourt. The Bodyguards, you can observe, have now of a verity, “hoisted the National Cockade:” for they step forward to the windows or balconies, hat aloft in hand, on each hat a huge tricolor; and fling over their bandoleers in sign of surrender; and shout _Vive la Nation_. To which how can the generous heart respond but with, _Vive le Roi; vivent les Gardes-du-Corps?_ His Majesty himself has appeared with Lafayette on the balcony, and again appears: _Vive le Roi_ greets him from all throats; but also from some one throat is heard ‘_Le Roi à Paris_, The King to Paris!’ Her Majesty too, on demand, shows herself, though there is peril in it: she steps out on the balcony, with her little boy and girl. ‘No children, _Point d’enfans!_’ cry the voices. She gently pushes back her children; and stands alone, her hands serenely crossed on her breast: ‘should I die,’ she had said, ‘I will do it.’ Such serenity of heroism has its effect. Lafayette, with ready wit, in his highflown chivalrous way, takes that fair queenly hand; and reverently kneeling, kisses it: thereupon the people do shout _Vive la Reine_. Nevertheless, poor Weber “saw” (or even thought he saw; for hardly the third part of poor Weber’s experiences, in such hysterical days, will stand scrutiny) “one of these brigands level his musket at her Majesty,”—with or without intention to shoot; for another of the brigands “angrily struck it down.”