M. Thiers interrupted this dangerous speech by tapping M. Thomas on the shoulder and saying:
"Monseigneur, have we not a fine colonel here?"
"That is true," answered Louis-Philippe.
"What is he talking about?" they exclaimed. "Does he take us for a band that has come to sell itself?"
And on every side rose contradictory phrases:
"It's a tower of Babel! And that's what they call a Citizen King! The Republic? You had better govern with Republicans!"
And M. Thiers exclaiming:
"Here's a fine embassy I've undertaken!"
Then M. de La Fayette came down to the Palais-Royal: the citizen was nearly stifled under the embraces of his King. The whole house was ready to die.
Men in jackets were at the posts of honour, men in caps in the drawing-rooms, men in smocks sat down to table with the Princes and Princesses; in the council-chamber there were chairs, but no arm-chairs; all spoke who would; Louis-Philippe, seated between M. de La Fayette and M. Laffitte, their arms entwined round each other's shoulders, beamed expansively with equality and happiness.