In the Eye of a Storm Read Free Page B

little.’
    ‘Did you hear that Dunod, the Count de Charnade, and a group of country
nobles tried to persuade the king to do something about this situation? Of
course, King Louis showed no interest in listening to their ideas and only
wanted to talk about hunting,’ Adelaide retorted.
    ‘The count’s mother is a friend of my grandmere and you should hear her
complain about the fact that he absolutely refuses to wear a powdered wig. She
is unhappy because he pulls his dark hair back and ties it with a black ribbon.
No, he’s not a pastel satin and lace coat devotee or a white silk stocking sort
of man,’ laughed Marie. ‘I believe he often tells her, “Take off the lead,
mother, and give me the whip.”
    ‘Oh I often see Dunod too and I always speak with him when he attends
our concerts,’ Laneve replied. ‘He is not only a great music lover - he is a
champion of the ordinary person. And I too admire him very much. But come now,
let us enjoy our lunch and leave politics to the men.’
    Later that afternoon after her guests had departed Laneve sat quietly
in the gathering dusk. She had spent time thinking aloud about the luncheon
conversations.
    ‘Yes, I am so fortunate to live away from Paris here in the country.
Now there is no doubt that France is experiencing a time of great restlessness.
People are often in fear about the changing attitudes of the general populace
and the shifting of loyalties. It is distressing too that the monarchy is so
maligned, though they continue to do nothing to change this situation.
    Now even Viotti is suggesting that we should perform more frequently in
the country estates. I know he is always busy with the opera and with his
latest violin concertos, but I believe he is also deeply worried about our
safety in Paris. Somehow I am unable to rid myself of this sense of impending
disaster.’
    Time passed quickly for Laneve until several months later in mid-July
when she and Rene were urgently summoned to their drawing room. The Count de
Charnade stood before them. He had arrived alone, on horseback and looked
exhausted. Laneve immediately requested a cold drink and some refreshments for
him as they sat together near the large glass French doors. The count was the
first to speak.
    ‘Laneve and Rene, please forgive this unannounced visit but I have news
that does not bode well for us. I have just left a meeting that included the
Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, the Marquis de Lafayette and a number of concerned
royalists. My next words are for your ears alone.’
    ‘Yes, we will keep your confidences between us both, Dunod. I hope that
your information will not confirm the sense of dread that we have also been
feeling of late,’ Rene answered.
    The count continued, ‘I have just learned that an insurrection is
underway in Paris. We both know that France’s economy has been strangled by
royal privileges and a corrupt administrative system. I have personally
attempted to convey my thoughts to the king, particularly those practices
regarding crop failures and the high taxes that are burdening ordinary people.’
    Dunod spoke on, ‘As I see events unfolding now, the last opportunity
for King Louis lies with the Third Estate. As you both know, the estate is made
up of ordinary persons, together with some clergy and aristocracy. It was hoped
that this group could find solutions to the present troubles besetting us all.’
    ‘I have also heard that the Third Estate would provide a force for
unity,’ replied Laneve. ‘But is it possible this may not happen?’
    ‘I fear not, because the king, who is always abetted by Marie
Antoinette, chose instead to revert back to the previous system of divine
rights. He concentrated his troops in and around Paris last week on July 10 th and these soldiers forcefully dispersed a demonstration of 5,000 people. There
was looting and burning as the people captured rifles and several cannons from
the Barracks des Invalides . However they had no ammunition