THE LAST CHASSE OF CHARLES X. 157 



Having finished reading, the king leant back in medita- 

 tion, and murmured a few words as though they issued from 

 the depths of his soul. 



" No, France cannot hate me, for I have done my duty !" 

 And his noble and calm countenance was lighted up with 

 an indescribable expression of contentment which reflected all 

 the purity of his conscience. A few minutes afterwards his 

 majesty left the room to attend mass at the chapel. 



At the termination of the great gallery of the chateau is 

 the Salon de Mars, and from thence, upon the same floor, is 

 a tribune, and at your feet the chapel. On ordinary occa- 

 sions the dauphin was the first to enter the tribune, after- 

 wards the king, followed by the princesses. The king placed 

 himself in the midst of his family, having monseigneur on 

 his right. At Paris, this form of etiquette was punctually 

 observed. His majesty bowed before the altar. The grand 

 aumonier approached, received his hat, and placed a prayer- 

 book in his hands ; but to-day the king has arrived alone. 

 The Gardes du Corps who lined the chapel have presented 

 arms at the approach of the king. The priests have arrived 

 in solemn procession from the sacristy, and turning towards 

 the king, bow profoundly. The service has commenced. 



In the midst of the general silence, the word of command, 

 " ground arms !" is heard, and the manoeuvre sounds with 

 admirable precision on the pavement of the chapel. 



An evident pre-occupation and much anxiety evidently 

 pervaded the minds of the few persons whom duty had united 

 at St. Cloud, but concealed from the king, whose calm and 

 happy countenance contrasted in a wonderful way with those 

 of his attendants. All had been completely taken by sur- 

 prise during the morning, by the news of the publication of 

 the ordonnances. No one believed in the possibility of such 

 a measure being carried. True, they had observed, on the 

 previous day, M. Polignac and his colleagues quit the council 



