The mediation of King Louis XVI.

between the emperor and the Dutch, as to the navigation of the Scheldt, had just terminated the incident pacifically: the king had concluded a treaty of defensive alliance with Holland.

The minister of war, M.de Segur, communicated to the queen the note he had drawn up on this important question.

"I regret," he said to Marie Antoinette, "to be obliged to give the king advice opposed to the desire of the emperor." "I am the emperor's sister, and I do not forget it," answered the queen; "but I remember above all that I am queen of France and mother of the dauphin." Louis XVI.

had undertaken to pay part of the indemnity imposed upon Joseph II.; this created discontent in France.