From this day she conceived the idea of rescuing the king from the power of the Jacobins and Girondists--of carrying him off through the agency of M.de Narbonne and the constitutionalists--of re-seating him on the throne--of crushing the extreme parties, and establishing her ideal government--a liberal aristocracy.

A woman of genius, her genius had the prejudices of her birth; a plebeian, who had found her way to court, it was necessary for her to have patricians between the throne and the people.

The first blow at M.de Lessart was dealt by a man who frequented the _salon_ of Madame de Staeel.
III.
But a more terrible and more unexpected blow fell on M.de Lessart: the very day on which he thus surrendered himself to his enemies, the unexpected death of the emperor Leopold was known at Paris, and with this prince expired the last faint hope of peace, for his wisdom died with him; and who could tell what new policy would arise from his tomb?
The agitation that prevailed filled every one with terror, and this was soon changed into hatred against the unfortunate minister of Louis XVI.
He had neither known, it was said, how to profit by the pacific disposition of Leopold whilst this prince yet lived, nor to forestall the hostile designs of those who succeeded him in the dominion of Germany.

Every thing furnished fresh accusation against him, even fatality and death.
At the moment of his decease all was ready for hostility.

Two hundred thousand men formed a line from Bale to the Scheldt.