?" asked one of another of these
persons, pausing for an instant as they hurried along.

"Yes!" was the emphatic answer. "Dupont, Lamartine and the sixteen
others who are faithful are resolute."

"And the rendezvous?"

"Is the Place de La Concorde."

"And the hour?"

"Twelve."

Whereupon the conspirators parted.

Gradually the number of persons in the streets increased as the morning
advanced. Chiefly, these were artisans, lads, blouses and workmen.

"Whither so early this disagreeable morning?" cried a peaceable-looking
shopman of the Rue de Rivoli, who was taking down his shutters for the
day, to a friend who was hurrying by.

"I don't exactly know where I am going," was the reply. "We were all
roused at daybreak in the Quartier St. Honore by the rappel, and so I
happen to be awake."

"And are the National Guard turning out in good numbers?"

"No. They don't turn out at all. The drummers are followed by a crowd of
gamins in blouses, who shout Vive la Reforme and sing the Marseillaise."

"The National Guard don't turn out!" cried the alarmed shopman; "then
I'll not take down my shutters!"

And as his friend moved on to the Madeleine, he took the precautionary
measure he had spoken of.

At nine o'clock troops were in motion all over Paris, and the roll of
the drum was heard in every street.

At ten o'clock ten thousand men were assembled at the Madeleine.

"Is there to be a banquet?" asked one of another, as they met on the Rue
Royale.

"No. It is a procession. The people are to march to the Chamber of
Deputies and sing the Marseillaise."

All the avenues to the Palais Bourbon and part of the Place around the
Madeleine were now occupied by the 21st Regiment of the Line and mounted
Municipal Guards. Before the Chamber of Deputies was marshaled a
squadron of dragoons, and a battalion of the 69th Regiment of
Cuirassiers stood ready to charge on the throng.

At eleven o'clock two thousand students in blouses from the Parthenon
were joined by an immense column of workmen from the faubourgs, and,
having fraternized in the Place de la Concorde, advanced in perfect
order in procession, led by National Guards, shouting the Marseillaise
and the Hymn of the Girondins. Slowly and solemnly moved the vast mass
up the Rue Royale to the Pont de la Concorde, leading to the Place of
the Chamber of Deputies.

At twelve o'clock the vast arena between the Chamber of Deputies and the
Madeleine contained thirty thou