^8 THE LIFE OF 



A lingular delay happened, and for a time re- 

 tarded the procefTion. The * decree of the Con- 

 vention, ordering the King to be brought before 

 them, had been forgotten ; a meffenger was there- 

 fore d-ifpatched for it, and on his return it was 

 read to his Majefty, who bowed and complied. 

 Though there had elap fed fufficient time from 

 the hour of Chambon's arrival at the Temple 

 for him to have changed his cloaths, he went 

 dreffed as I have juft defcribed. 



From the King's wavering condudl, in his 

 attempt to efcape from the country, and on 

 other occafions, I had formed the idea of his 

 being a very weak and irrefolute charader ; but 

 I was far miflaken, for his examination con- 

 vinced me, that he wanted neither courage nor 

 talents, and indeed from that day I became de- 

 voted to him. 



With the utmoft coolnefs and intrepidity, he 

 anfwered interrogatories, which he could not 

 pofiibly forefee, and while his whole conduct 



talned. But at that time this circumftance was unknown to 

 any except thofe immediately concerned. 



* Clery mentions, that though Chambon, Maire of Paris, 

 was announced before eleven o'clock, as being with the coun- 

 cil below, and coming up immediately to fpeak with the King, 

 he did not appear before one ; as the caufe of this delay was 

 only whifpered among the general ftaff, it could not well come 

 to Mr. Clery 's knowledge. 



evinced 



