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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.
"
No! no! Let us name no one, let us not allow ourselves to be sorted,"
exclaimed M. Gustave de Beaumont.
M. de Vatimesnil added, "We have come in here all together, we ought to
go out all together."
Nevertheless a few moments afterwards Antony Thouret was informed that a
list of names was being secretly prepared, and that the Royalist
Representatives were invited to sign it. They attributed, doubtless
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