"My friends, the king has revoked the Ordinances; the Ministers have been chucked out." He thought he was speaking in the language of the people, but he was really only uttering the jargon of the lowest rabble. M. de Vitrolles was shaking hands freely all round. If the men who pressed his hands had known his name, they would have throttled him instead! When the negotiators reached the quays they were obliged to abandon their carriages, as the barricades were beginning and, with them, no favouritism: locomotion was the same for all. When they reached the Hôtel de Ville and were climbing the flight of steps they met Marrast, and, recognising the three negotiators, he stopped to look at them. M. de Sémonville did not know Marrast, but, seeing a young man elegantly attired, in the midst of that ragged crowd, he addressed him. "Young man," he said, "can we speak with General La Fayette?" He dared not say _monsieur_, and did not wish to address him as _citoyen_ (citizen). Marrast directed him; and these gentlemen were introduced into the midst of the Municipal Commission. They were going to begin to declare their mission without its being thought necessary to inform General La Fayette, whom they had come to seek. It would, perhaps, have suited some members of the Municipal Commission for La Fayette not to be there; but M. de Schonen and Audry de Puyraveau, the most enthusiastic, and deeply implicated of the Commission, sent for him. They proclaimed the Ministry of Mortemart and Gérard. "But, gentlemen," Mauguin interrupted, "two Ministers do not form a Government." "The king," said M. de Sémonville, "willingly consents to the addition of M. Casimir Périer." And he turned with a gracious smile towards the banker, who went terribly pale. In the same moment, Casimir Périer received a letter which he read. All eyes were fixed upon him.... He made a gesture expressive of refusal. There was a brief moment of silence and hesitation, each trying to avoid being the first to answer, feeling the importance of his reply. Then M. de Schonen rose and broke the silence, and in firm tones uttered these terrible words:--- "It is too late.... The throne of Charles X. has foundered in blood ...!" Eighteen years later, these same words, repeated in the Tribune by M. de Lamartine and addressed in their turn to the envoys of King Louis-Philippe, were to hurl down the throne occupied by the Younger Branch, as they had done that of the Elder. The negotiators wanted to press matters forward. "Come! come!" said Audry de Puyraveau, "let us have no more of this, gentlemen, or I will call up the people, and we shall soon see what their wishes are!" The deputies withdrew; but M. Casimir Périer went out by another door, and joined them on the staircase. "Go and find M. Laffitte," he said to them as he passed; "perhaps something might be done from that quarter."