"There, gentlemen, that is the plan of campaign of the court." Loud acclamations from the company--excepting only the Abbot--greeted the reading of the communication by Monsieur Plouernel. "This plan seems to me to be at all points excellently expeditious and practical," said Victoria. "It has every chance of success. Still, has the court foreseen the event of Paris, protected by barricades and defended by determined men, resisting with the force of despair? Has the court foreseen the event of Monsieur Broglie being defeated in his conflict with the people?" "Madam, that case also is provided for," answered Plouernel. "The King and the royal family, protected by a powerful force, will leave Versailles and retire to a fortified place on the frontier. The Emperor of Austria, the Kings of Prussia and Sweden, and the majority of the princes of the Germanic Confederation, will be prepared to assist the royal power. Their armies will cross the frontier, and his Majesty, at the head of the arms of the coalition, will return to force an entry into his capital, which will be subjected to terrible chastisement." "One and all, we are prepared to shed our blood for the success of this plan," cried the Viscount of Mirabeau, swelling with enthusiasm. "To battle!" "Has this plan the approval of the King?" asked Victoria. "Can one count on his resolution?" "The Queen but awaits the hour of putting it into practice to inform his Majesty of it," answered the Count. "Nevertheless, the King has already consented to the assembling of a corps of the army at Versailles. That is a first step gained." "But if the King should refuse to follow the plan? What course do you then expect to take?" persisted Victoria. "It will go through without the consent of Louis XVI. If necessary, we shall proceed to depose him. Then Monseigneur the Count of Provence will be declared Lieutenant-General of the kingdom, and the Queen, Regent, with a council of unbending royalists. Then we shall see courts-martial and firing squads in permanence! Volleys unceasing!" "It is done for royalty if the court dare put its plan, into execution," muttered Victoria to herself. "To-morrow the Bastille will be taken." Then, rising, her face glowing with animation, and holding her glass aloft, she called, in her brilliant voice: "To the death of the Revolution! To the re-establishment of Royalty! To the triumph of the Church! To the Queen!" And catching her fire, the whole company, with one voice, cried: "Death to the Revolution!" "Meet me to-morrow morning at Versailles, gentlemen, in battle," cried Plouernel. And all except the Abbot shouted back the reply: "In battle! We shall all be at Versailles to deal the people its death-blow!" The sarcastic coolness of the priest sat the Count ill. "Are you stricken dumb, Abbot," he inquired, "or do you lack confidence in our plan?"