The Commandant of Mount Valerien appeared under the archway of the fort to receive the Representative prisoners.

He at first made some show of registering them in the jailer’s book.  General Oudinot, under whom he had served, rebuked him severely,—­

“Do you know me?”

“Yes, General.”

“Well then, let that suffice.  Ask no more.”

“Yes,” said Tamisier.  “Ask more and salute.  We are more than the Army; we are France.”

The commandant understood.  From that moment he was hat in hand before the generals, and bowed low before the Representatives.

They led them to the barracks of the fort and shut them up promiscuously in a dormitory, to which they added fresh beds, and which the soldiers had just quitted.  They spent their first night there.  The beds touched each other.  The sheets were dirty.

Next morning, owing to a few words which had been heard outside, the rumor spread amongst them that the fifty-three were to be sorted, and that the Republicans were to be placed by themselves.  Shortly afterwards the rumor was confirmed.  Madame de Luynes gained admission to her husband, and brought some items of news.  It was asserted, amongst other things, that the Keeper of the Seals of the coup d’etat, the man who signed himself Eugene Rouher, “Minister of Justice,” had said, “Let them set the men of the Right at liberty, and send the men of the Left to the dungeon.  If the populace stirs they will answer for everything.  As a guarantee for the submission of the Faubourgs we shall have the head of the Reds.”

We do not believe that M. Rouher uttered these words, in which there is so much audacity.  At that moment M. Rouher did not possess any.  Appointed Minister on the 2d December, he temporized, he exhibited a vague prudery, he did not venture to install himself in the Place Vendome.  Was all that was being done quite correct?  In certain minds the doubt of success changes into scruples of conscience.  To violate every law, to perjure oneself, to strangle Right, to assassinate the country, are all these proceedings wholly honest?  While the deed is not accomplished they hesitate.  When the deed has succeeded they throw themselves upon it.  Where there is victory there is no longer treason; nothing serves like success to cleanse and render acceptable that unknown thing which is called crime.  During the first moments M. Rocher reserved himself.  Later on he has been one of the most violent advisers of Louis Bonaparte.  It is all very simple.  His fear beforehand explains his subsequent zeal.

The truth is, that these threatening words had been spoken not by Rouher, but by Persigny.

M. de Luynes imparted to his colleagues what was in preparation, and warned them that they would be asked for their names in order that the white sheep might be separated from the scarlet goats.  A murmur which seemed to be unanimous arose.  These generous manifestations did honor to the Representatives of the Right.