Prince Louis Napoleon's popularity seemed to them a mere passing fancy of the multitude.

His person inspired them with but little admiration.

They reckoned him a nonentity, a dreamer, incapable of laying his hands on France, and especially of maintaining his authority.
To them he was only a tool whom they would make use of, who would clear the way for them, and whom they would turn out as soon as the hour arrived for the rightful Pretender to show himself.[*] However, months went by, and they became uneasy.

It was only then that they vaguely perceived they were being duped: they had no time, however, to take any steps; the Coup d'Etat burst over their heads, and they were compelled to applaud.

That great abomination, the Republic, had been assassinated; that, at least, was some sort of triumph.