sk, What we wanted? "Bread and speech with the King
(Du pain, et parler au Roi)," that was the answer. Twelve women are
clamorously added to the Deputation; and march with it, across the
Esplanade; through dissipated groups, caracoling Bodyguards, and the
pouring rain.

President Mounier, unexpectedly augmented by Twelve Women, copiously
escorted by Hunger and Rascality, is himself mistaken for a group:
himself and his Women are dispersed by caracolers; rally again with
difficulty, among the mud. (Mounier, Expose Justificatif (cited in Deux
Amis, iii. 185).) Finally the Grates are opened: the Deputation gets
access, with the Twelve Women too in it; of which latter, Five shall
even see the face of his Majesty. Let wet Menadism, in the best spirits
it can expect their return.

Chapter 1.7.VII.

At Versailles.

But already Pallas Athene (in the shape of Demoiselle Theroigne) is busy
with Flandre and the dismounted Dragoons. She, and such women as are
fittest, go through the ranks; speak with an earnest jocosity; clasp
rough troopers to their patriot bosom, crush down spontoons and
musketoons with soft arms: can a man, that were worthy of the name of
man, attack famishing patriot women?

One reads that Theroigne had bags of money, which she distributed over
Flandre:--furnished by whom? Alas, with money-bags one seldom sits on
insurrectionary cannon. Calumnious Royalism! Theroigne had only the
limited earnings of her profession of unfortunate-female; money she had
not, but brown locks, the figure of a heathen Goddess, and an eloquent
tongue and heart.

Meanwhile, Saint-Antoine, in groups and troops, is continually arriving;
wetted, sulky; with pikes and impromptu billhooks: driven thus far
by popular fixed-idea. So many hirsute figures driven hither, in that
manner: figures that have come to do they know not what; figures that
have come to see it done! Distinguished among all figures, who is this,
of gaunt stature, with leaden breastplate, though a small one; (See
Weber, ii. 185-231.) bushy in red grizzled locks; nay, with long
tile-beard? It is Jourdan, unjust dealer in mules; a dealer no longer,
but a Painter's Layfigure, playing truant this day. From the necessities
of Art comes his long tile-beard; whence his leaden breastplate
(unless indeed he were some Hawker licensed by leaden badge) may have
come,--will perhaps remain for ever a Historical Problem. Another Saul
among the people we discern: 'Pere Adam, Fa