It is not in public documents and actions that the real opinions of the actors on the stage of public events are to be discerned. It is their private conversation or correspondence that reveals their real sentiments; it is there that the mental struggles which preceded the most decisive steps, and the secret views by which they were actuated in adopting or rejecting them, are in truth disclosed. In this view, the following conversation between Chateaubriand and the Duchess of Orleans, immediately after the triumph of the Barricades, is peculiarly interesting-- "M. Arago spoke to me in the warmest terms of the intellectual superiority of Madame Adelaide; and the Count Analde de Montesquieu, having met me one morning at Madame Recamier's, informed me that the Duke and Duchess of Orleans would be charmed to see me. I went, accordingly, to the Palais Royal with the Chevalier d'Honneur of the future queen. I found the Duchess of Orleans and Madame Adelaide in their private boudoirs. I had previously had the honour of being presented to the duchess. She made me sit down near her, and immediately said-- "'Ah! M. de Chateaubriand, we are very unfortunate. If all parties would unite we might perhaps be saved, what think you of that?' "'Madame,' I replied, 'nothing is so easy. Charles X. and the Dauphin have both abdicated; Henry V. is now king; the Duke of Orleans is now Lieutenant-general of the kingdom; let him be Regent during the whole minority of Henry V., and all is accomplished.' "'But, M. de Chateaubriand, the people are extremely agitated; we should fall into anarchy.' "'Madame, may I venture to ask you what is the intention of the Duke of Orleans? will he accept the throne if it is offered to him?' "The two princesses hesitated to answer. After a short pause the Duchess of Orleans replied,-- "'Consider, M. de Chateaubriand, the disasters which may ensue--you and all other men of honour require to unite to save us from a republic. At Rome, M. de Chateaubriand, you might render us essential service--or even here, if you did not wish to quit France.' "'Madame is not ignorant of my devotion to the young king and to his mother.' "'Ah! M. de Chateaubriand, how well they have rewarded your fidelity.' "'Your Royal Highness would not wish me to give the lie to my whole life.' "'M. de Chateaubriand, you do not know my niece; she is so inconsiderate, poor Caroline. I will send for the Duke of Orleans; I hope he may succeed in persuading you better than me.' "The princess gave her orders, and in a quarter of an hour Louis Philippe arrived. He was dressed in disorder, and looked extremely fatigued. I rose as he entered, and the Lieutenant-general of the kingdom said,--