Page:Coubertin - France since 1814, 1900.djvu/104

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FRANCE SINCE 1814

and everybody, in short, who had private reasons for desiring a crisis, noticed that no resistance was prepared ; therefore they foresaw a glorious opportunity for revolt, and their hopes were kindled. They organised themselves during the night, and at dawn began the campaign. The Hôtel de Ville was guarded by sixteen men, all told. They took possession of it. An unknown hand hoisted an enormous tricolour flag on the towers of Nôtre Dame ; it was pointed out by the people below with more surprise than enthusiasm. In the presence of the deputies reassembled at the house of one of their number, General Sebastiani exclaimed that "he, for his part, would never know any national standard but the white standard." In the mouth of a representative of the Advanced Left such language was significant. The prevailing opinion in Parliamentary circles was that the King should be induced to withdraw the Ordinances and change the Ministry. Marshal Marmont, Commander of the Forces, wrote as much to the King. Charles X., still at St. Cloud, and still lulled into a sense of security, vouchsafed no answer but "Wait till to-morrow." It had been a bad day ; ill-disciplined soldiers had