The History of a Crime: The Testimony of an Eye-WitnessHugo, Victor
History
The History of a Crime: The Testimony of an Eye-Witness
Hugo, Victor
France -- History -- 1789-1900
The Representatives who entered by the door in Rue de Bourgogne,
penetrated as far as the Salle des Conférences, where they met their
colleagues coming out from M. Dupin.
A numerous group of men, representing every shade of opinion in the
Assembly, was speedily assembled in this hall, amongst whom were MM.
Eugène Sue, Richardet, Fayolle, Joret, Marc Dufraisse, Benoît (du
Rhône), Canet, Gambon, d'Adelsward, Créqu, Répellin, Teillard-Latérisse,
Rantion, General Leydet, Paulin Durrieu, Chanay, Brilliez, Collas (de la
Gironde), Monet, Gaston, Favreau, and Albert de Rességuier.
Each new-comer accosted M. de Panat.
"Where are the vice-Presidents?"
"In prison."
"And the two other Questors?"
"Also in prison. And I beg you to believe, gentlemen," added M. de
Panat, "that I have had nothing to do with the insult which has been
offered me, in not arresting me."
Indignation was at its height; every political shade was blended in the
same sentiment of contempt and anger, and M. de Rességuier was no less
energetic than Eugène Sue. For the first time the Assembly seemed only
to have one heart and one voice. Each at length said what he thought of
the man of the Elysée, and it was then seen that for a long time past
Louis Bonaparte had imperceptibly created a profound unanimity in the
Assembly--the unanimity of contempt.
M. Collas (of the Gironde) gesticulated and told his story. He came from
the Ministry of the Interior. He had seen M. de Morny, he had spoken to
him; and he, M. Collas, was incensed beyond measure at M. Bonaparte's
crime. Since then, that Crime has made him Councillor of State.
M. de Panat went hither and thither among the groups, announcing to the
Representatives that he had convened the Assembly for one o'clock. But it
was impossible to wait until that hour. Time pressed. At the Palais
Bourbon, as in the Rue Blanche, it was the universal feeling that each
hour which passed by helped to accomplish the _coup d'état_. Every one
felt as a reproach the weight of his silence or of his inaction; the
circle of iron was closing in, the tide of soldiers rose unceasingly,
and silently invaded the Palace; at each instant a sentinel the more was
found at a door, which a moment before had been free. Still, the group of
Representatives assembled together in the Salle des Conférences was as
yet respected. It was necessary to act, to speak, to deliberate, to
struggle, and not to lose a minute.
Gambon said, "Let us try Dupin once more; he is our official man, we
have need of him." They went to look for him. They could not find him.
He was no longer there, he had disappeared, he was away, hidden,
crouching, cowering, concealed, he had vanished, he was buried. Where?
No one knew. Cowardice has unknown holes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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