ery considerably from hunger.

Experienced Mounier, in these circumstances, takes a twofold resolution:
To reconvoke his Assembly Members by sound of drum; also to procure a
supply of food. Swift messengers fly, to all bakers, cooks, pastrycooks,
vintners, restorers; drums beat, accompanied with shrill vocal
proclamation, through all streets. They come: the Assembly Members come;
what is still better, the provisions come. On tray and barrow come these
latter; loaves, wine, great store of sausages. The nourishing baskets
circulate harmoniously along the benches; nor, according to the Father
of Epics, did any soul lack a fair share of victual ((Greek), an equal
diet); highly desirable, at the moment. (Deux Amis, iii. 208.)

Gradually some hundred or so of Assembly members get edged in, Menadism
making way a little, round Mounier's Chair; listen to the Acceptance
pure and simple; and begin, what is the order of the night, 'discussion
of the Penal Code.' All benches are crowded; in the dusky galleries,
duskier with unwashed heads, is a strange 'coruscation,'--of impromptu
billhooks. (Courier de Provence (Mirabeau's Newspaper), No. 50, p.
19.) It is exactly five months this day since these same galleries were
filled with high-plumed jewelled Beauty, raining bright influences; and
now? To such length have we got in regenerating France. Methinks the
travail-throes are of the sharpest!--Menadism will not be restrained
from occasional remarks; asks, "What is use of the Penal Code? The
thing we want is Bread." Mirabeau turns round with lion-voiced rebuke;
Menadism applauds him; but recommences.

Thus they, chewing tough sausages, discussing the Penal Code, make night
hideous. What the issue will be? Lafayette with his thirty thousand must
arrive first: him, who cannot now be distant, all men expect, as the
messenger of Destiny.

Chapter 1.7.IX.

Lafayette.

Towards midnight lights flare on the hill; Lafayette's lights! The roll
of his drums comes up the Avenue de Versailles. With peace, or with
war? Patience, friends! With neither. Lafayette is come, but not yet the
catastrophe.

He has halted and harangued so often, on the march; spent nine hours on
four leagues of road. At Montreuil, close on Versailles, the whole Host
had to pause; and, with uplifted right hand, in the murk of Night, to
these pouring skies, swear solemnly to respect the King's Dwelling; to
be faithful to King and National Assembly. Rage is driven d