There, they had received news of Canrobert.  On the 2d he went to see Madame Leflo, that noble woman, who was most indignant at what had happened.  There was to be a ball next day given by Saint-Arnaud at the Ministry of War.  General and Madame Leflo were invited, and had made an appointment there with General Canrobert.  But the ball did not form a part of Madame Leflo’s conversation with him.  “General,” said she, “all your comrades are arrested; is it possible that you give your support to such an act?” “What I intend giving,” replied Canrobert, “is my resignation and,” he added, “you may tell General Leflo so.”  He was pale, and walked up and down, apparently much agitated.  “Your resignation, General?” “Yes, Madame.”  “Is it positive?” “Yes, Madame, if there is no riot.”  “General Canrobert,” exclaimed Madame Leflo, “that if tells me your intentions.”

Canrobert, however, had not yet taken his decision.  Indeed, indecision was one of his chief characteristics.  Pelissier, who was cross-grained and gruff, used to say, “Judge men by their names, indeed!  I am christened Amable, Randon Cesar, and Canrobert Certain.”

[15] No. 16, Rue d’Anjou, Saint Honore.

[16] The author still has in his possession the note written by Lamoriciere.

[17] Later on, the wound having got worse, he was obliged to have his leg taken off.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE SITUATION

Although the fighting tactics of the Committee were, for the reasons which I have already given, not to concentrate all their means of resistance into one hour, or in one particular place, but to spread them over as many points and as many days as possible, each of us knew instinctively, as also the criminals of the Elysee on their side, that the day would be decisive.

The moment drew near when the coup d’etat would storm us from every side, and when we should have to sustain the onslaught of an entire army.  Would the people, that great revolutionary populace of the faubourgs of Paris, abandon their Representatives?  Would they abandon themselves?  Or, awakened and enlightened, would they at length arise?  A question more and more vital, and which we repeated to ourselves with anxiety.

The National Guard had shown no sign of earnestness.  The eloquent proclamation, written at Marie’s by Jules Favre and Alexander Rey, and addressed in our name to the National Legions, had not been printed.  Hetzel’s scheme had failed.  Versigny and Lebrousse had not been able to rejoin him; the place appointed for their meeting, the corner of the boulevard and the Rue de Richelieu, having been continually scoured by charges of cavalry.  The courageous effort of Colonel Grassier to win over the Sixth Legion, the more timid attempt of Lieutenant Colonel Howyne upon the Fifth, had failed.  Nevertheless indignation began to manifest itself in Paris.  The preceding evening had been significant.