"Young man," he said, "can we speak with General La Fayette?"
He dared not say monsieur, and did not wish to address him as citoyen (citizen).
Marrast directed him; and these gentlemen were introduced into the midst of the Municipal Commission. They were going to begin to declare their mission without its being thought necessary to inform General La Fayette, whom they had come to seek. It would, perhaps, have suited some members of the Municipal Commission for La Fayette not to be there; but M. de Schonen and Audry de Puyraveau, the most enthusiastic, and deeply implicated of the Commission, sent for him. They proclaimed the Ministry of Mortemart and Gérard.
"But, gentlemen," Mauguin interrupted, "two Ministers do not form a Government."
"The king," said M. de Sémonville, "willingly consents to the addition of M. Casimir Périer."
And he turned with a gracious smile towards the banker, who went terribly pale.
In the same moment, Casimir Périer received a letter which he read. All eyes were fixed upon him.... He made a gesture expressive of refusal. There was a brief moment of silence and hesitation, each trying to avoid being the first to answer, feeling the importance of his reply. Then M. de Schonen rose and broke the silence, and in firm tones uttered these terrible words:—-
"It is too late.... The throne of Charles X. has foundered in blood ...!"
Eighteen years later, these same words, repeated in the Tribune by M. de Lamartine and addressed in their turn to the envoys of King Louis-Philippe, were to hurl down the throne occupied by the Younger Branch, as they had done that of the Elder.