the signal of a new and terrible conflict.

Lafayette--who was seated in a large armchair--seemed, for a moment,
stunned and speechless. A messenger came in to inform him that the
Duke of Chartres--the eldest son of the Duke of Orleans--had been
taken captive, and that a riotous band was surging through the
streets shouting, "A prince is taken! Let us go and shoot him!"
Almost by miracle the young duke escaped death.

The peril of anarchy was hourly increasing. There was not a moment to
be lost in organizing, if possible, some stable government. The
millions in the rural districts would not accept a Republic organized
by the populace in Paris. The men of property, and the friends of
order generally, thought that their only chance of averting confusion
and ruin was to rally in support of the Orleans dynasty. Thus the
Orleans party rapidly increased among the more wealthy and reputable
portion of the citizens. The leading journals espoused their cause.
Nearly all the journals, trembling in view of the threatening
anarchy, earnestly rallied around that banner. Beranger, the most
popular poet in France--notwithstanding his profound admiration of
Napoleon, which was breathed forth in so many of his soul-stirring
songs--gave the Orleanists the aid of his all-powerful pen.

The following proclamation in favor of the Duke of Orleans was
issued:

"Charles X. can never return to Paris; he has shed the blood
of the people. A Republic would expose us to horrible
divisions; it would involve us in hostilities with Europe.
The Duke of Orleans is a prince devoted to the cause of the
Revolution. The Duke of Orleans has never fought against us.
The Duke of Orleans was at Jemappes. The Duke of Orleans is a
citizen king. The Duke of Orleans has carried the tri-color
flag under the enemy's fire. The Duke of Orleans can alone
carry it again. We will have no other flag. The Duke of
Orleans does not declare himself. He waits for the expression
of our wishes. Let us proclaim those wishes and he will
accept the charter, as we have always understood and desired
it. It is from the French people he will hold the crown."

"This proclamation," says Louis Blanc, "was drawn up with great art.
It repeated the name of the Duke of Orleans again and again, in order
that this name, little known to the people, might nevertheless be
deeply imprinted on its memory. By talking of the tri-color flag and