saw them boldly walk up
the central avenue, I was not at all convinced that their lives were not
in danger. My sight is excellent, and I noticed a decidedly hostile
movement on the part of the troops ranged in front of the principal
door, and an officer of Mobiles was evidently of my opinion, for, though
he followed them at a distance, he kept prudently behind the trees,
sheltering himself as much as possible. I do not pretend to be wiser
than most of my fellow-men, but I doubt whether many among those who
watched M. Sardou and his companion suspected the true drift of their
self-imposed mission. They merely wished to save the Tuileries from
being pillaged and burnt down. I do not wish to libel the Imperial Guard
or their officers, but I should feel much surprised if that noble idea
ever entered their heads. What was the magnificent pile to them, now
that one of their idols had left it, probably for ever, and the other
was about to do the same? At any rate, the suspicious movement was
there. I have forgotten to tell you that the inner gate was closed and I
saw M. Sardou parley through its bars with one of the guardians. Then a
superior officer, accompanied by a civilian, came out; but by this time,
the crowd, which had kept back, was beginning to move also, I among
them. All of a sudden, the general, who turned out to be General
Mellinet, gets on a chair, while his companion, who turns out to be M.
de Lesseps, stands by him. The Imperial Guard disappears, seeing which,
the crowd, no longer apprehensive of being shot down, advances rapidly
to within a few steps of the gate. Then there is a cheer, for the
Imperial flag is hauled down from the roof. 'Gentlemen,' says the
general, 'the Tuileries are empty, the Empress is gone. But it is my
duty to guard the palace, and I count upon you to help me.' He says a
great deal more, but the crowd are pressing forward all the same. I feel
that the crucial moment has arrived, and that the palace will be
invaded, in spite of the general's speechifying, when lo, the Gardes
Mobiles issue from the front door, and range themselves in two rows. The
gates are opened, the crowd rushes in, but the Mobiles are there to
prevent them making any excursions, either upstairs or into the
apartments, and in a few minutes we find ourselves in the Place du
Carrousel. The palace has been virtually saved by M. Sardou."

Half an hour later, we receive the news that the Government of the
National Defence h