The scarcity of bread and the entertainment of the
Body Guards were the pretexts for the insurrection
of the 5th and 6th of October, 1789 ; but it is clear
to demonstration that this new movement of the peo-
ple was a part of the original plan of the factious,
insomuch as, ever since the beginning of September, a
report had been industriously circulated that the King
intended to withdraw, with his family and ministers,
to some stronghold ; and at all the popular assemblies
there had been always a great deal said about going to
Versailles to seize the King.
At first only women showed themselves ; the lat-
ticed doors of the Chftteau were closed, and the Body
Guard and Flanders regiment were drawn up in the
Place d'Armes. As the details of tiiiat dreadful day
are given with precision in several works, I will only
observe that general consternation and disorder
reigned throughout the interior of the palace.
I was not in attendance on the Queen at this time.
M. Gampan remained with her till two in tiiie mom-



42 HISTORIC COURT MEMOIRS.
ing. As he was leaying her she condescendingly, and
with infinite kindness, desired him to make me easy
as to the dangers of the moment, and to repeat to me
M. de La Payette's own words, which he had just
used on soliciting the royal family to retire to bed^
undertaking to answer for his army.
