Oh, that does not surprise me that the murder was arranged! Thank you, Rebecca!
Another point I would like to make about the situation of the Queen and Fersen, is that between July 1789 and October 1789, Antoinette had opportunities in which she could have left France with her children. She could have escaped to Vienna and carried on a discreet affair with Axel. Catherine Hyde, the foster daughter of Princesse de Lamballe and editor of her memoirs, emphasized the fact that Antoinette chose to stay with Louis, even though the situation had become dangerous especially for her, and that she had chances to leave. Her husband begged her to go for her safety, but she adamantly refused, saying to him "I will die at your feet with the children in my arms." This was heroic on her part, especially if she had feelings of a romantic nature for the Count, but she chose to put her husband, children, honor, duty and faith before her personal happiness.
After Louis' death, there were several plots for Antoinette's escape, but when she realized she would have to leave her children behind, she would not go even though everyone knew that she was going to be killed. Her children were more important to her than her life. Even before, as one can see from earlier accounts of courtiers at Versailles and the queen's letters, the children and Louis were the focus of her thoughts.