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Many refused, one alleging his great age, another the res angusta domi,
a third "the fear of doing the work of the Reds." "Say 'fear,' in short,"
replied Charton.
On the following day, December 3d, MM. Vivien and Bethmont took the
protest to Boulay de la Meurthe, Vice-President of the Republic, and
President of the Council of State, who received them in his dressing-gown,
and exclaimed to them, "Be off! Ruin yourselves, if you like, but without
me."
On the morning of the 4th, M. de Cormenin erased his signature, giving
this unprecedented but authentic excuse: "The word ex-Councillor of
State does not look well in a book; I am afraid of injuring my
publisher."
Yet another characteristic detail. M. Béhic, on the morning of the 2d,
had arrived while they were drawing up the protest. He had half opened
the door. Near the door was standing M. Gautier de Rumilly, one of the
most justly respected members of the Council of State. M. Béhic had
asked M. Gautier de Rumilly, "What are they doing? It is a crime. What
are we doing?" M. Gautier de Rumilly had answered, "A protest." Upon,
this word M. Béhic had reclosed the door, and had disappeared. He
reappeared later on under the Empire--a Minister.
357
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