This
month approached, and the monarch diverted himself by fetes and
boisterous entertainments in order to banish the presentiments which
never ceased to assail {36} him. He said to himself that all this
phantasmagoria would probably soon vanish; that the funereal images
would of themselves depart; and that the spectres would disappear at
the sound of arms. The monarchical crusade of which he proposed to be
the leader grew upon him as the best means by which to escape the
incessant obsessions haunting his spirit. In vain was he reminded that
Sweden was in need of money, and that a war of intervention in the
affairs of France was not popular. His resolution remained unshaken.
He counted the days and hours which still separated him from the moment
of action: his sole idea was to chastise the Jacobins and avenge the
majesty of thrones.

Returned to Stockholm from Aix-la-Chapelle, at the beginning of August,
1791, the impetuous monarch began to be very active in his warlike
preparations. The Marquis de Bouille, who had been obliged to quit
France at the time of the unsuccessful journey to Varennes, had entered
his service and was to counsel him and fight at his side under the
Swedish flag. At the same time Gustavus officially renewed his
promises of aid to the King of France. Louis XVI. replied:--

"MONSIEUR MY BROTHER AND COUSIN: I have just received the lines with
which you have honored me on the occasion of your return. It is always
a great consolation to have such proofs of a friendly sentiment as are
given me by this letter. The concern, Sire, which you take in all that
relates to {37} my interest touches me more and more, and I recognize
in each word the august soul of a king whom the world admires as much
for his magnanimous heart as for his wisdom."

Meanwhile the conspirators, animated either by personal rancor or the
passions common to nobles hostile to their king, were secretly
preparing for an attack. The five leaders were Captain Ankarstroem,
Count de Ribbing, Count de Horn, Count de Lilienhorn, major of the Blue
Guards, and Baron Pechlin, an old man of seventy-two, who had been
distinguished in the civil wars, and was the soul of the plot. The
conspirators had doubts before committing the crime. During the Diet,
which met at Gefle, January 25, 1792, they refrained at the very moment
when they were about to strike.

Gustavus was in his castle of Haga, about a league from Stockholm,
without gua