THE LAST CHASSE OF CHAELES X. 163 



received. What was the result ? My concession was in- 

 terpreted into an act of weakness or cowardice. The 

 deputy Sebastiani exclaimed, alluding to this circumstance, 

 ' The breach is made ; we must enter. 7 Martignac could not 

 succeed in conciliating the majority; his position became 

 untenable, and he was forced to beat a retreat before that 

 revolutionary fraction of the country, who evidently still 

 dreamt of 1789, and took the example of the National 

 Assembly for their guide, thinking, perhaps, at the same 

 time, that I should imitate the conduct of my brother." 



" Without doubt," said the Due de Luxembourg, " it is 

 absolutely necessary to oppose energy and force to such 

 notorious malevolence." 



" Admitting that," continued the Compte de Girardin, " I 

 uphold that the exercise of that energy demands certain 

 conditions, which have not yet been ratified, and France 

 does not appear to me to be prepared for the measures 

 which the king has taken." 



" There you are in error. I have given a just interpreta- 

 tion to that article of the charte which cites, ' In case of 

 urgency, it appertains to the king to make ordonnances 

 necessary to the safety of the state.' Is not this clear ? and 

 yet, according to you, the throne is in peril." 



" Were I in the place of the king, I would not leave 

 St. Cloud." 



" Happily for France and for myself. General, my ministers, 

 who are sufficiently cautious, do not judge as you do. Yes- 

 terday I demanded, in full council, if they considered my 

 presence was necessary to-day at St. Cloud; if so, Messieurs,, 

 I added, I shall not go to Eambouillet." 



"And their answer, sire ]" 



" It was unanimous. They said there could be no objec- 

 tion to my absence." 



" It is my duty to intimate to the king, that I have reason 



