Marie Antoinette's reputation (already hanging tenuously in the balance) was ruined. Marie Antoinette was pissed off. When Marie Antoinette and her family had been imprisoned at the Tuileries during the primary thrust of the French Revolution, Fersen was instrumental in plotting their escape. He borrowed giant sums of cash and even mortgaged his home to assist them flee, and he by no means did pay it again in full -- nor did the escape work.