Shelostheraccustomedspirit，weptmuch，andexhibitedagreatdealoffeeling。Yetshestillstoodguardovertheshatteredthronelikearesolutesentinel，andlookedaroundwithsharpandsearchingglances，tokeepaneyeontheenemy，andtobereadyforhisnearerapproach。
ShestillcontinuedtoreceivenewsabouteverythingthattranspiredinParis，everythingthatwasresolveduponintheNationalAssemblyanddiscussedintheclubs，andhadthelibelsandpamphletswhichweredirectedatherallsenttoher。MarieAntoinetteunderstoodtheconditionofthecapitalandthefeelingofthepeoplebetterthandidthekingwhooftensatforhours，andattimeswholedays，silentandunoccupiedbettereventhandidtheministers。Shereceivedeverymorningthereportsoftheemissaries，followedtheintriguesoftheconspirators，andwasacquaintedwiththesecretassemblieswhichMaratcalledtogether，andthealliancesoftheclubs。Sheknewaboutthecallingtogetheroftheforty-eightsectionsoftheParis“fraternity“inonegeneralconvention。SheknewthatPotion，Danton，andManuel，threeravingrepublicans，wereatthehead，andthattheiremissarieswereempoweredtostirupthesuburbsofthecity。Sheknew，too，thatthemonstersfromMarseilles，whohadbeenactiveonthe20thofJune，wereboastingthattheyweregoingtorepeatthedeedsofthatdayonagreaterscale。
NorwasitunknowntoherthatmorethanhalfthedeputiesintheNationalAssemblybelongedtotheJacobinparty，andthattheywerelookingforanopportunitytostrikeafreshblowatroyalty。Veryoften，whenatdeadofnightMarieAntoinetteheardthenoisychorusoftheriotersfromMarseillessingingbeneathherwindows，“Allons，enfantsdelapatrie，“ortheParisianschantingthe“Qaira，faira!“shesprangfromherbedshenowneverdisrobedherselfonretiring，hurriedtothebedsofherchildrentoseethattheywerenotindanger，orcalledhermaidsandcommandedthemtolightthecandles，thattheymightatleastseethedangerwhichthreatened。
Atlast，onthenightofthe9thofAugust，thelong-fearedterrorarrived。
AgunfiredinthecourtoftheTuileriesannounceditsadvent。