About two hours after midnight
The answer he gave at last , late at night , could be no other than that which they chose to have ; though the king was well aware that the people did not know what they were asking , and that he should never be able to satisfy them . What they asked , and made him promise in writing , was an abundance of food -- `` a free circulation of corn , '' as they called it , -- believing that the wealthy , and the millers and bakers under them , kept large hidden stores of grain , in order that bread might be dear . Louis understood nothing of all this ; but he was aware that all was confusion and danger . About two hours after midnight everybody in the palace was suddenly relieved , and led to believe that the danger was past . General Lafayette entered , and pledged his life that they should be safe : and everybody was accustomed to rely on Lafayette 's word . He happened to be mistaken this time , -- to think better of the temper of the people outside than they deserved ; but what he said he fully believed . With him came some messengers from Paris , to entreat the king , among other things , to come and live among his people at Paris .