The Fall Of The Great


"'Then,' observed Madame la Duchesse de Grammont, 'as for that, we

women, we are happy to be counted for nothing in this revolution; when I

say for nothing, it is not that we do not always mix ourselves up with

them a little; but it is a received maxim that they take no notice of

us, and of our sex.' 'Your sex, ladies,' said Cazotte, 'your sex will

not protect you this time; and you had far better meddle with nothing,

or you will be treated entirely as men, without any difference

whatever.' 'But what, then, are you really telling us of, Monsieur

Cazotte? You are preaching to us the end of the world.' 'I know nothing

on that subject; but what I do know is, that you, Madame la Duchesse,

will be conducted to the scaffold, you and many other ladies with you,

in the cart of the executioner, and with your hands tied behind your

backs.' 'All! I hope that in that case I shall at least have a carriage

hung in black.' 'No, Madame; higher ladies than yourself will go, like

you, in the common car, with their hands tied behind them.' 'Higher

ladies! what! the princesses of the blood?' 'Yea, and still more exalted

personages!' replied Cazotte.



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