At three o'clock on the morning of the 4th all the printing-offices were evacuated by the soldiers. The Captain said to Serrière, "We have orders to concentrate in our own quarters." And Serrière, in announcing this fact, added, "Something is in preparation."
I had had since the previous night several conversations with Georges Biscarrat, an honest and brave man, of whom I shall have occasion to speak hereafter. I had given him rendezvous at No. 19, Rue Richelieu. Many persons came and went during this morning of the 4th from No. 15, where we deliberated, to No. 19, where I slept.
As I left this honest and courageous man in the street I saw M. Mérimée, his exact opposite, coming towards me.
"Oh!" said M. Mérimée, "I was looking for you."
I answered him,—
"I hope you will not find me."
He held out his hand to me, and I turned my back on him.
I have not seen him since. I believe he is dead.
In speaking one day in 1847 with Mérimée about Morny, we had the following conversation:—Mérimée said, "M. de Morny has a great future before him." And he asked me, "Do you know him?"
I answered,—