THE LAST CHASSE OF CHARLES X. 161 



The Gardes du Corps were arranged in battle array before 

 the Salle des Generaux. He had placed his foot upon the 

 step, when he felt himself gently held back by some one ; 

 and, 011 turning round, perceived the Duchesse de Berri, who 

 said to him, in a tone of soft familiarity, " Not so quick, 

 sire ! give me time, at least, to wish you joy, and permit me 

 to add that, dating from this morning, you are the true 

 king of France." 



Charles X. smiled slightly. "I thank you," he said, 

 " and hope that your felicitations may be echoed by France 

 and Europe." 



Several persons present could not restrain a significant 

 movement of their heads. 



The royal equipage issues from the court-yard of the 

 palace ; it ascends the road to Yille d' Avray, and rolls with 

 a deadened sound over the grass of the avenue. Now and 

 then portions of sand and gravel give a grating noise to 

 the wheels, which again regain their original tone. 



The king had not yet opened the conversation, and pro- 

 found silence was observed. 



" General !" he suddenly exclaimed ; and, addressing M. 

 de Girardin, " have you read the ordonnances f ' and, without 

 awaiting an answer, he continued, " What is your opinion ? 



The king was well aware of the character of his grand 

 huntsman. He knew that no opinion ever came from his 

 lips that did not issue directly from his brain. Still, 

 perhaps, his majesty hardly reckoned upon the precision and 

 promptitude with which he received an answer to his 

 question. 



f ' Sire, it is a coup d'etat /" 



The king smiled. 



" Always in extremes, General ; but I do not see how this 

 resembles a coup d'etat'' 



" It is not only a coup d'etat against a party, but a coup 

 M 



