the two parties it can look for the
development of its prosperity."

"And you think," said Sallenauve, "that in a well-balanced system of
government that question is a useful one to raise?"

"Well," replied Rastignac, "we have not raised it. It is born perhaps
of circumstances; a great deal, as I think, from the restlessness of
certain ambitions, and also from the tactics of parties."

"So that, in your opinion, one of the combatants is not guilty and has
absolutely nothing to reproach himself with?"

"You are a republican," said Rastignac, "and therefore, _a priori_, an
enemy to the dynasty. I think I should lose my time in trying to change
your ideas on the policy you complain of."

"You are mistaken," said the theoretical republican deputy; "I have no
preconceived hatred to the reigning dynasty. I even think that in
its past, _striped_, if I may say so, with royal affinities and
revolutionary memories, it has all that is needed to respond to the
liberal and monarchical instincts of the nation. But you will find it
difficult to persuade me that in the present head of the dynasty we
shall not find extreme ideas of personal influence, which in the long
run will undermine and subvert the finest as well as the strongest
institutions."

"Yes," said Rastignac, ironically, "and they are saved by the famous
axiom of the deputy of Sancerre: 'The king reigns, but does not
govern.'"

Whether he was tired of standing to converse, or whether he wished to
prove his ease in releasing himself from the trap which had evidently
been laid for him, Sallenauve, before replying, drew up a chair for his
interlocutor, and, taking one himself, said,--

"Will you permit me to cite the example of another royal behavior?--that
of a prince who was not considered indifferent to his royal prerogative,
and who was not ignorant of constitutional mechanism--"

"Louis XVIII.," said Rastignac, "or, as the newspapers used to call him,
'the illustrious author of the Charter'?"

"Precisely; and will you kindly tell me where he died?"

"_Parbleu_! at the Tuileries."

"And his successor?"

"In exile--Oh! I see what you are coming to."

"My conclusion is certainly not difficult to guess. But have you fully
remarked the deduction to be drawn from that royal career?--for which I
myself feel the greatest respect. Louis XVIII. was not a citizen king.
He granted this Charter, but he never consented to it. Born nearer to
the throne than the prince