United States or Papua New Guinea ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
I begged Charamaule to go to my house and wait for me there, and I walked out with Noël Parfait and Lafon. We reached the then still uninhabited district which skirts the ramparts. As we came to the corner of the Rue Pigalle, we saw at a hundred paces from us, in the deserted streets which cross it, soldiers gliding all along the houses, bending their steps towards the Rue Blanche.
Having entered, and the gate being shut behind us, we found ourselves in a little square courtyard which formed the centre of a sort of a two-storied ruin; the silence of a convent prevailed, not a light was to be seen at the windows; near a shed was seen a low entrance to a narrow, dark, and winding staircase. "We have made some mistake," said Charamaule; "it is impossible that it can be here."
People walked to and fro, passers-by accosted each other without any previous acquaintance, a noteworthy sign of public anxiety; and groups talked in loud voices at the corners of the streets. The shops were being shut. "Come, this looks better," cried Charamaule. He had been wandering about the town since the morning, and he had noticed with sadness the apathy of the masses.
It seemed to me at that moment that the Republic raised its brow, and that the coup d'état hung its head. Meanwhile Charamaule said to me, "You are recognized." In fact, near the Château d'Eau the crowd surrounded me. Some young men cried out, "Vive Victor Hugo!" One of them asked me, "Citizen Victor Hugo, what ought we to do?"
The word "desertion" grievously wounded Charamaule. "Very well," said he, "I abandon the idea." This scene was exceedingly grand, and Quinet later on, when in exile, spoke to me of it with deep emotion. We separated. We did not meet again. I wandered about the streets. Where should I sleep? That was the question. I thought that No. 19, Rue Richelieu would probably be as much watched as No. 15.
In an hour the regiment will be on foot." "Colonel," answered I, "I will do more than sign an order, I will accompany you." And I turned towards Charamaule, who had a carriage in waiting. "Come with us," said I. Forestier was sure of two majors of the 6th.
"Well, then," replied Charamaule, "Shout, 'Long live Soulouque." This time the sergeant did not hesitate, he raised his sword, and, amid bursts of laughter and of applause, he resolutely shouted, "Long live Soulouque!" The reading of the Decree added a gloomy warmth to the popular anger. They set to work on all sides to tear down the placards of the coup d'état.
Antoine. This offer was accepted. I sent to inform Auguste of our change of abode, and of Cournet's address. Lafon remained on the Quai Jemmapes in order to forward on the Proclamations as soon as they arrived, and we set out at once. Charamaule undertook to send to the Rue des Moulins to tell the other members of the committee that we would wait for them at No. 82, Rue Popincourt.
Vive la République;" came forth from every breast. Enthusiasm, indignation, anger flashed in the faces of all. I thought then, and I still think, that this, perhaps, was the supreme moment. I was tempted to carry off all that crowd, and to begin the battle. Charamaule restrained me. He whispered to me, "You will bring about a useless fusillade. Every one is unarmed.
We were beaten, granted, but was it necessary to add annihilation to defeat? No possible chance of success. The brains of an army cannot be blown out. To do what Charamaule advised would be to open the tomb, nothing more. It would be a magnificent suicide, but it would be a suicide. Under certain circumstances it is selfish to be merely a hero.
Word Of The Day