M. Thiers made some equivocal explanation or other, much embarrassed, which the Duc d'Orléans cut short by saying—
"That will do, monsieur, that will do. I thank you for procuring me the visit of these, our brave defenders."
Then, turning to them, he waited for one of them to begin. Bonvilliers was the first to speak.
"Prince," he said, "to-morrow you will be king."
The Duc d'Orléans made a movement.
"To-morrow, monsieur?" he said.
"Well, if not to-morrow, it will be either in three days' time or a week ... the actual day is of little consequence."
"King!" repeated the Duc d'Orléans after him; "who told you that, monsieur?"
"The steps your partisans are taking; the coercion they are exercising upon affairs, not daring to exercise it openly upon men; the placards with which they have covered the walls; the money they are distributing in the streets."
"I do not know what my partisans may be doing," the duke replied; "but I know I have never aspired to the crown, and even now, although I am being urged by many to accept it, I do not desire it."