It was twelve o'clock at night, on the 22nd of February, 1848.
Lights still gleamed in the vast edifice of "Le National" printing office, and in the editorial chamber were assembled the chiefs of the revolution.
"All goes well," said Louis Blanc. "The blow is struck; let it only be followed up, and the efforts of the past ten years will not prove vain!"
"How true was the opinion of M. Dantès respecting the National Guard!" said Marrast.
"How true also respecting the workmen!" said Albert.
"How true respecting the Ministry!" said Ledru Rollin. "But where is M. Dantès? Why is he not here?"
At that moment the private door opened, and M. Dantès, Flocon and Lamartine entered.
"The news from the Chambers!" cried Marrast, as they approached.
"Three impeachments of the Ministry have been proposed," said Lamartine.
"By whom--by whom?" asked Louis Blanc. "By whom presented?"
"One by Odillon Barrot, one by Duvergier d'Hauranne and one by M. de Genoude, Deputy from Toulouse."
"And what said Guizot?" asked Marrast.
"Nothing. He only laughed when the papers were handed him by old President Sauzet."
"Ah!" cried Ledru Rollin.
"Few deputies were there," continued Flocon. "The opposition benches were vacant. Guizot was there early, pale and troubled, but stern and unbending. All the Ministers followed him."
"What was discussed?" asked Marrast.
"The Bordeaux Bank Bill."
"Ah!" cried Ledru Rollin again.
"Yes," continued Flocon, "until five o'clock that bill was discussed. Barrot then ascended the tribune and deposited a general proposition to impeach the Ministry."
"And what was done with it?" asked Louis Blanc.
"The President raised the sitting without reading it, but announced that the bureaux should have it for examination on Thursday."
"Infamous!" cried Ledru Rollin.
"It is all as it should be," said M. Dantès, calmly.
"And the peers--what of them?"
"The Marquis de Boissy made an effort to get a hearing on the state of Paris, but, of course, it was in vain."
"Is it true," asked Flocon, "that the rappel has been beaten to-day?"
"It was beaten in the Quartier St. Honoré, at dawn," said Louis Blanc, "and this evening, at about five o'clock, in several of the arrondissements. But no reliance need be placed on the National Guard. They are with us--they are of the people--they shout, 'Vive la Réforme!'"
"But the Municipal Guard and the Line? I am told that an immense body of them was this evening, at about eight o'clock, reviewed by the King and the Dukes of Nemours and Montpensier, in the Place du Carrousel," said Flocon.
"That's true," said Ledru Rollin; "I witnessed it myself in passing, and I could not help saying, 'It is the last.'"