he Regency in the Chamber, I was
defending it in the Place de la Bastille."

"Yesterday, that was all right; but to-day? There is now neither
Regency nor Royalty. It is impossible that Victor Hugo is not at heart
Republican."

"In principle, yes, I am. The Republic is, in my opinion, the only
rational form of government, the only one worthy of the nations. The
universal Republic is inevitable in the natural course of progress. But
has its hour struck in France? It is because I want the Republic that
I want it to be durable and definitive. You are going to consult the
nation, are you not?--the whole nation?"

"The whole nation, assuredly. We of the Provisional Government are all
for universal suffrage."

At this moment Arago came up to us with M. Armand Marrast, who held a
folded paper in his hand.

"My dear friend," said Lamartine, "know that this morning we selected
you for Mayor of your arrondissement."

"And here is the patent signed by us all," said Armand Marrast.

"I thank you," said I, "but I cannot accept it."

"Why?" continued Arago. "These are non-political and purely gratuitous
functions."

"We were informed just now about the attempted revolt at La Force,"
added Lamartine. "You did better than suppress it, you forestalled it.
You are loved and respected in your arrondissement."

"My authority is wholly moral," I rejoined; "it could but lose weight in
becoming official. Besides, on no account would I dispossess M. Ernest
Moreau, who has borne himself loyally and valiantly throughout this
trouble."

Lamartine and Arago insisted: "Do not refuse our brevet."

"Very well," said I, "I will take it--for the sake of the autographs;
but it is understood that I keep it in my pocket."

"Yes, keep it," said Armand Marrast laughingly, "so that you can say
that one day you were _pair_ and the next day _maire_."

Lamartine took me aside into the recess of a window.

"It is not a mairie I would like you to have, but a ministry. Victor
Hugo, the Republic's Minister of Instruction! Come now, since you say
that you are Republican!"

"Republican--in principle. But in fact, I was yesterday peer of France,
I was yesterday for the Regency, and, believing the Republic to be
premature, I should be also for the Regency to-day."

"Nations are above dynasties," went on Lamartine. "I, too, have been a
Royalist."

"Yes, but you were a deputy, elected by the nation; I was a peer,
appointed by the King."

"The Kin