"Mere domestic virtues," rejoined M. Glandeves, "are not to be recompensed by a crown. Are you ignorant that he is accused of approving of the vote of his father for the death of Louis XVI.; that in our dark days he associated himself with projects to exclude forever from the throne the legitimate heirs; that during the Hundred Days he preserved a mysterious inaction; that, since 1815, while pretending to be the humble servant of the court, he has been the secret fomenter of all intrigues? Louis XVIII. restored to him his vast estates. Charles X., by a personal request to the Chambers, secured them to him, by legal and irrefragable rights, and conferred upon him the title of royal highness, which he so long coveted. How can he now, thus burdened with kindnesses from the elder branch of the Bourbons, seize upon their inheritance?" "It is not for the personal interest of the duke," replied M. Lafitte, "that we wish to place him upon the throne, but for the salvation of the country. This alone can save us from anarchy, which otherwise seems inevitable. I do not ask whether the situation of the Duke of Orleans is painful to his feelings, but simply whether his accession to the throne is desirable for France. What prince is more liberal in his political sentiments, or more free from those prejudices which have ruined Charles X.? And where can we find any candidate for the throne who combines so many advantages? And what course can you propose preferable to that of placing the crown on his head?" "If you believe Charles X. guilty," rejoined the baron, "at least you will admit that the Duke de Bordeaux is innocent. Let us preserve the crown for him. He will be trained up in good principles. Does Lafayette very sincerely desire a Republic?" "He would wish for it," Lafitte replied, "if he were not afraid of too searching a convulsion." "Well, then," said the baron, "let a council of regency be established. You would take part in it with Lafayette." M. Lafitte replied, "Yesterday that might have been possible; and, had the Duchess de Berri--separating her cause from that of the old king--presented herself, with her young son, holding a tri-color in her hand--" "A tri-color!" exclaimed the baron, in astonishment, interrupting him--"A tri-color! Why, it is, in their eyes, the symbol of every crime. Rather than adopt it, they would suffer themselves to be brayed in a mortar." "Under these circumstances," inquired Lafitte, "what is it you have to propose to me?" The prompt reply was, "Respect the divine right of the Duke of Bordeaux--proclaim him sovereign, as Henry V.--intrust the regency, during his minority, to the Duke of Orleans."