"The most significant shout before the office of Foreign Affairs was this," said Ledru Rollin--"'Countess of Leven, where is the Minister?'" "And the very moment this was occurring," said Flocon, "I understand that M. Thiers, on his return from the Chamber, in passing through the Champs-Elysees, narrowly escaped a most unwelcome ovation from the people. The two rivals were duly and simultaneously honored it seems." "Thus much for to-day," said Marrast; "what of to-night?" "Barricades rise all over Paris," said M. Dantes. "But we can do no more. Let us each retire to his home. To-morrow the National Guard will fraternize with the people, and the Ministry will resign." A few words of parting salutation passed, and all departed. M. Dantes and Lamartine left the office in company. "What say you, Edmond," asked Lamartine, "will your wife spare you long enough from her pillow to make with me a brief tour of the town?" "Mercedes is rather exacting," said Dantes, with a laugh; "but if your fair lady will suffer your absence, mine must do the same, I fear." "Well, then, let us first to the Hotel de Ville, that grand centre of Paris in all that is revolutionary." As the two friends passed along, conversing on the events of the day and the anticipations of the morrow, they were met, from time to time, by knots of men at the corners, eagerly recounting the incidents of the hour; the roll of drums was heard in the distance, and occasionally there came the heavy and measured tread of infantry, the clatter of cavalry and the lumbering of artillery, as they passed on their way. All the shops and cafes were closed. Many of the lamps were demolished, and others were not lighted, the gas being shut off. A fearful gloom brooded over the city. The winter wind swept sharply and cuttingly along the deserted streets, and rain, which froze as it fell, at intervals dashed down. The Hotel de Ville was encompassed by troops as the friends approached it. "Is that a cannon?" asked Lamartine, pointing to a dark object that protruded from an embrasure of the edifice. "It is!" replied Dantes. "Then the revolution has, indeed, begun! Artillery in the streets of Paris!" "Behind each column of the portico of the Chamber of Deputies this day frowned a concealed cannon!" was the significant response.