Meanwhile the Chamber met, the session was opened, and from the very first the Government could perceive a wavering in the majority.  Even among those who blamed and feared the agitation out-of-doors, several believed in the urgent necessity of a concession to remove all pretext for clamors and intrigues.  On the ministers being informed of it Guizot said:  “Withdraw the question from the hands of those who now hold it, and let it be brought back to the Chamber.  Let the majority take a step in the direction of the concessions indicated; however small it be, I am certain it will be understood, and that you will have a new Cabinet, which will do what you think necessary.”  It was in the same spirit that the Ministry, during the discussion on the address, rejected an amendment tending to impose upon them immediate engagements with reference to reform.

“The maintenance of the unity of the Conservative party,” said Guizot, “the maintenance of conservative policy and power, will be the fixed idea and rule of conduct in the Cabinet.  They will make sincere efforts to maintain or restore the unity of the Conservative party upon that question, in order that it may be the Conservative party itself in its entirety that undertakes and gives to the country its solution.  If such an operation in the midst of the Conservative party is possible, it will take place.  If that is not possible—­if by the question of reforms the Conservative party cannot succeed in making a common arrangement and maintaining the power of the Conservative policy, the Cabinet will leave to others the sad task of presiding over the disorganization of the Conservative party and the ruin of its policy.”

The question was not destined to be taken up again by the Chambers, having escaped from the weak hands that aspired to direct it.  The courtesy of the Conservative reformers had no result except disquieting the Government, a sort of precursory sign of the tempest.  Even the parliamentary opposition found themselves baffled in their prudent efforts.  A manifesto published in the National newspaper organized a noisy demonstration in the streets, though forbidden in the banquet-hall, the National Guard being called to arms by the insurrection, and their services arranged beforehand.  The convention was clearly violated, and the legal appeal to the tribunals therefore abandoned:  the Revolution itself declared it would decide the question.  In such a situation, sorrowfully admitted by those who had negotiated the evening before, the Government officially forbade the banquet.  The evening papers announced that the Deputies of the opposition had given up the intention of being present, and therefore the proposed manifestation was deprived of all importance.  The revolutionary leaders in their turn declared that the banquet would not take place.