They all repaired to the Hall of Assembly.  The passage was free.  The Salle Casimir-Perier was not yet occupied by the soldiers.

They numbered about sixty.  Several were girded with their scarves of office.  They entered the Hall meditatively.

There, M. de Resseguier, undoubtedly with a good purpose, and in order to form a more compact group, urged that they should all install themselves on the Right side.

“No,” said Marc Dufraisse, “every one to his bench.”  They scattered themselves about the Hall, each in his usual place.

M. Monet, who sat on one of the lower benches of the Left Centre, held in his hand a copy of the Constitution.

Several minutes elapsed.  No one spoke.  It was the silence of expectation which precedes decisive deeds and final crises, and during which every one seems respectfully to listen to the last instructions of his conscience.

Suddenly the soldiers of the Gendarmerie Mobile, headed by a captain with his sword drawn, appeared on the threshold.  The Hall of Assembly was violated.  The Representatives rose from their seats simultaneously, shouting “Vive la Republique!”

The Representative Monet alone remained standing, and in a loud and indignant voice, which resounded through the empty hall like a trumpet, ordered the soldiers to halt.

The soldiers halted, looking at the Representatives with a bewildered air.

The soldiers as yet only blocked up the lobby of the Left, and had not passed beyond the Tribune.

Then the Representative Monet read the Articles 36, 37, and 68 of the Constitution.

Articles 36 and 37 established the inviolability of the Representatives.  Article 68 deposed the President in the event of treason.

That moment was a solemn one.  The soldiers listened in silence.

The Articles having been read, Representative d’Adelsward, who sat on the first lower bench of the Left, and who was nearest to the soldiers, turned towards them and said,—­

“Soldiers, you see that the President of the Republic is a traitor, and would make traitors of you.  You violate the sacred precinct of rational Representation.  In the name of the Constitution, in the name of the Law, we order you to withdraw.”

While Adelsward was speaking, the major commanding the Gendarmerie Mobile had entered.

“Gentlemen,” said he, “I have orders to request you to retire, and, if you do not withdraw of your own accord, to expel you.”

“Orders to expel us!” exclaimed Adelsward; and all the Representatives added, “Whose orders; Let us see the orders.  Who signed the orders?”

The major drew forth a paper and unfolded it.  Scarcely had he unfolded it than he attempted to replace it in his pocket, but General Leydet threw himself upon him and seized his arm.  Several Representatives leant forward, and read the order for the expulsion of the Assembly, signed “Fortoul, Minister of the Marine.”