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trammelled them have been shaken off like cobwebs； and they that
were as sheep are now become the wolves that prey on those that
preyed on them for generations。
There is； in the whole of France； no corner so remote but that；
sooner or later； this great upheaval has penetrated to it。
Louis XVI。 … or Louis Capet； as he is now more generally spoken of
… has been arraigned； condemned and executed。 The aristocrats are
in full emigratory flight across the frontiers … those that have not
been rent by the vassals they had brought to bay； the people they
had outraged。 The Lilies of France lie trampled under foot in the
shambles they have made of that fair land； whilst overhead the
tricolour … that symbol of the new trinity； Liberty； Equality；
Fraternity … is flaunted in the breeze。
A few of the more proud and obstinate … so proud and obstinate as
to find it a thing incredible that the order should indeed change
and the old regime pass away … still remain； and by their vain
endeavours to lord it in their castles provoke such scenes as that
enacted at Bellecour in February of '93 （by the style of slaves）
or Pluviose of the year One of the French Republic； as it shall
presently come to be known in the annals of the Revolution。
Bellecour； the most arrogant of arrogants； had stood firm； and
desperately contrived through all these months of revolution to
maintain his dominion in his corner of Picardy。 But even he was
beginning to realise that the end was at hand； and he made his
preparations to emigrate。 Too proud； however； to permit his
emigration to savour of a flight； he carried the leisureliness of
his going to dangerous extremes。 And now； on the eve of departure；
he must needs pause to give a fete at once of farewell and in honour
of his daughter's betrothal to the Vicomte Anatole d'Ombreval。 This
very betrothal at so unpropitious a season was partly no more than
contrived by the Marquis that he might mark his ignoring and his
serene contempt of the upheaval and the new rule which it had
brought。
All that was left of the noblesse in Picardy had flocked that day
to the Chateau de Bellecour； and the company there assembled
numbered perhaps some thirty gallants and some twenty ladies。 A
banquet there had been； which in the main was a gloomy function；
for the King's death was too recent a matter to be utterly lost
sight of。 Later； however； as the generous supply of wine did its
work and so far thawed the ice of apprehension that bound their
souls as to dispose them to enjoy； at least； the present hour in
forgetfulness； there was a better humour in the air。 This developed；
and so far indeed did it go that in the evening a Pavane was
suggested； and； the musicians being found； it was held in the great
salon of the Chateau。
It was then that the first alarm had penetrated to their midst。 It
had found them a recklessly merry crew； good to behold in their
silks and satins； powder and patches； gold lace and red heels； moving
with waving fans； or hand on sword； and laced beaver under elbow；
through the stately figures of the gavotte。
Scared； white…faced lackeys had brought the news； dashing wildly in
upon that courtly assembly。 The peasants had risen and were marching
on Bellecour。
Some of his sudden rage the Marquis vented by striking the servants'
spokesman in the face。
〃Dare you bring me such a message？〃 he cried furiously。
〃But； my lord； what are we to do？〃 gasped the frightened lackey。
〃Do； fool？〃 returned Bellecour。 〃Why； close the gates and bid them
return home as they value their lives。 For if they give me trouble
I'll hang a round dozen of them。〃
Still was there that same big talk of hanging men。 Still did it
seem that the Marquis of Bellecour accounted himself the same lord
of life and death that he and his forbears had been for generations。
But there were others who thought differently。 The music had ceased
abruptly； and a little knot of gentlemen now gathered about the host；
and urged him to take some measures of precaution。 In particular
they desired to ensure the safety of the ladies who were being thrown
into a great state of alarm； so that of some of these were the
screams that were heard in that night of terror。 Bellecour's temper
was fast gaining； and as he lost control of himself the inherent
brutality of his character came uppermost。
〃Mesdames；〃 he cried rudely； 〃this screeching will profit us nothing。
Even if we must die； let us die becomingly； not shrieking like
butchered geese。〃
A dozen men raised their voices angrily against him in defence of
the women he had slighted。 But he waved them impatiently away。
〃Is this an hour in which to fall a…quarrelling among ourselves？〃
he exclaimed。 〃Or do you think it one in which a man can stop to
choose his words？ Sang…dieu！ That screaming is a more serious
matter than at first may seem。 If these rebellious dogs should
chance to hear it； it will be but so much encouragement to them。
A fearless front； a cold contempt； are weapons unrivalled if you
would prevail against these mutinous cravens。〃
But his guests were insistent that something more than fearless
fronts and cold contempts should be set up as barriers between
themselves and the advancing peasantry。 And in the end Bellecour
impatiently quitted the room to give orders for the barricading of
the gates and the defending of the Chateau； leaving behind him in
the salon the very wildest of confusions。
》From the windows the peasantry could now be seen； by the light of
their torches； marching up the long avenue that fronted the Chateau；
and headed by a single drum on which the bearer did no more than
beat the step。 They were a fierce； unkempt band； rudely armed …
some with scythes； some with sickles； some with hedge…knives； and
some with hangers； whilst here and there was one who carried a gun；
and perhaps a bayonet as well。 Nor were there men only in the
rebellious ranks。 There were an almost equal number of women in
crimson caps； their bosoms bare； their heads dishevelled； their
garments filthy and in rags … for the tooth of poverty had bitten
deeply into them during the past months。
As they swung along to the rhythmical thud of the drum； their voices
were raised in a fearful chorus that must have made one think of the
choirs of hell； and the song they sang was the song of Rouget de
l'Isle； which all France had been singing these twelve months past：
〃Aux armes； citovens！
Formez vos bataillons。
Allons； marchons！
Qu'un sang inpur
Abreuve nos sillons！〃
Ever swelling as they drew nearer came the sound of that terrible
hymn to the ears of the elegant； bejewelled； bepowdered company in
the Chateau。 The gates were reached and found barred。 An angry
roar went up to Heaven； followed by a hail of blows upon the stout；
ironbound oak； and an imperious call to open。
In the courtyard below the Marquis had posted the handful of servants
that remained faithful … for reasons that Heaven alone may discern …
to the fortunes of the house。 He had armed them with carbines and
supplied them with ammunition。 He had left them orders to hold off
the mob from the ou