Within a fortnight he was
dead, and a scandalous reign was ended. "The rush of the courtiers, with
a noise like thunder, as they hastened to pay homage to the new
sovereign," says a narrator of the Queen's story, "was the first
announcement of the great event to the young heir and his wife." The new
King had not yet reached his twentieth year. "God help and protect us!"
they both cried on their knees. "We are too young to reign!"
As Queen of France, Marie Antoinette occupied a series of superbly
appointed rooms in the left wing of the palace. Beyond a dark passageway
were her husband's apartments. Her bed-chamber was the scene of the
formal toilet, a ceremony always irksome to the youthful sovereign. In
this sumptuous room, where queens had borne kings-to-be, and had closed
their eyes forever upon a melancholy existence, she gave birth to four
children. The royal bed was raised on steps and surrounded by a gilt
balustrade; nearby was a gorgeously fitted dressing-table. There were
also armchairs, we are told, with down cushions, "tables for writing, and
two chests of drawers of elaborate workmanship. The curtains and
hangings were of rich but plain blue silk. The stools for those that had
the privilege of being seated in the royal presence, with a sofa for the
Queen's use, were placed against the walls, according to the formal
custom of the time. The canopy of the bed was adorned with Cupids
playing with garlands and holding gilt lilies, the royal flower.
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