Part 27 (2/2)

”The demand was so loudly reprobated that M. Barrot immediately said he made the proposal in entire submission to the majority.”

”And what said Dupin?” asked Ledru Rollin, eagerly.

”Dupin said the first thing necessary for the capital was order. Anarchy must cease. The Ministry could not at the same time occupy themselves in re-establis.h.i.+ng order and in caring for their own safety. He demanded the adjournment of the impeachment and of all business.”

”And what did Barrot reply to that?” asked Louis Blanc.

”M. Barrot was silent; but the Minister of Foreign Affairs at once rose and said with much energy that as long as his cabinet remained entrusted with the public interest, which would probably be for some hours, it would cause the laws to be respected. The cabinet saw no reason for the suspension of the labors of the Chamber. The Crown was at that moment exercising its prerogative, and it must be respected. So long as his cabinet was on those benches, the Chamber need not suspend its labors.”

”What was the vote on the question to postpone consideration of the impeachment?” asked Flocon.

”Some of the opposition supported the motion, but the whole centre opposed it, and it was lost. The Chamber immediately rose in great agitation, and M. Guizot disappeared.”

”It seems to me that the position of M. Odillon Barrot is a somewhat peculiar one at this moment,” observed Louis Blanc. ”He is neither with the Crown nor with the people, and yet both seem to confide in him.”

”As I pa.s.sed his house this evening, at about eight o'clock,” said Flocon, ”a large mult.i.tude were in his courtyard shouting, 'Long live Odillon Barrot!' A deputation of the people penetrated, I understand, even to his private apartment, where he was in consultation with Thiers and Dupin. Barrot then urged them to be moderate in their triumph and to retire. M. Garnier Pages, who chanced to be there, urged them to do the same, and they went off shouting louder than ever.”

At that moment one of the reporters of ”Le National” hastily entered and handed Marrast a note.

”Whence do you come, Monsieur?” asked the editor.

”From the Tuileries, Monsieur,” was the reply, and the reporter left.

The editor opened the note and read aloud:

”One o'clock--Count Mole, unable to form a cabinet, has this moment resigned, and the King has sent for M. Guizot, M. Thiers and Marshal Bugeaud.

”Half-past one o'clock--Marshal Bugeaud's commission as Commander-in-chief of the National Guard and of the troops of the Line, in place of Generals Jaqueminot and Peyronett Tyburce Sebastiani, has just been signed by M. Guizot and his colleagues, the Ministers of War and the Interior, and will appear in the 'Moniteur' of this morning. Bugeaud's plan is this: Instant attack with an overwhelming force of artillery, cavalry and infantry of the Line, (which, he a.s.serts, he has now all ready in position in antic.i.p.ation of this event, and well disposed to act,) on all the barricades. He promises to sweep away every obstruction from the streets before dawn, though at the cost of fifty thousand lives.”

”Ha!” exclaimed all the conspirators, instantly springing to their feet.

”This, indeed, is resistance!” said M. Dantes. ”But Bugeaud can concentrate no more troops upon us. Every avenue to Paris will be effectually closed before morning and even the telegraph stopped!”

”If this be true, we have not an instant to lose!” said Louis Blanc.

”I had a hint of this,” began M. Dantes.

”Stay--stay, Messieurs!” cried Marrast, as the whole company was rus.h.i.+ng to the door. ”Here is another and later dispatch.”

”Two o'clock--Marshal Bugeaud has gone to complete his arrangements for instant attack. M. Thiers has arrived, and, with Odillon Barrot, Duvergier de Hauranne and de Remusat, has formed a cabinet.

General Lamoriciere supersedes Marshal Bugeaud--the latter is recalled and forbidden to fire on the people. He protests with violence, and sheathes his sword in despair.”

”To be sure he does, the old cut-throat!” cried Ledru Rollin. ”The idea of being let loose with his mastiffs on the people of Paris, like sheep pent up in a fold, was to him a source of rapturous antic.i.p.ation, and his rage at the disappointment is proportional!”

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