The King, nevertheless, is very calm, and even cheerful. But this game must not be played too far. Every rubber won serves but to make up the total of the rubber lost.
Vivien recounted to us that the King had thrown an electoral reform bill into his drawer, saying as he did so: “That is for my successor!” “That was Louis XV.‘s mot,” added Vivien, “supposing reform should prove to be the deluge.”
It appears to be true that the King interrupted M. Salandrouze when he was laying before him the grievances of the “Progressists,” and asked him brusquely: “Are you selling many carpets?” *
* M. Salandrouze was a manufacturer of carpets.
At this same reception of the Progressists the King noticed M. Blanqui, and graciously going up to him asked:
“Well, Monsieur Blanqui, what do people talk about? What is going on?”
“Sire,” replied M. Blanqui, “I ought to tell the King that in the departments, and especially at Bordeaux, there is a great deal of agitation.”
“Ah!” interrupted the King. “More agitation!” and he turned his back upon M. Blanqui.
While we were talking Vivien exclaimed: “Listen! I fancy I can hear firing!”
A young staff officer, addressing General d’Houdetot with a smile, asked: “Are we going to stay here long?”