She beckoned to me to come close to her.

The King was engaged in conversation with some one in his room.

When the attendant had served her he retired; and she addressed me, with the cup still in her hand: "Great Heavens! what fatal news goes forth this day! The King assents to the convocation of the States General." Then she added, raising her eyes to heaven, "I dread it; this important event is a first fatal signal of discord in France." She cast her eyes down, they were filled with tears.
She could not take the remainder of her coffee, but handed me the cup, and went to join the King.

In the evening, when she was alone with me, she spoke only of this momentous decision.

"It is the Parliament," said she, "that has compelled the King to have recourse to a measure long considered fatal to the repose of the kingdom.