"Avoid a fratricidal conflict." "I call upon you to withdraw," the mayor continued.

"I protest in the name of the law." These words provoked deafening shouts from the crowd.

When the tumult had somewhat abated, vehement calls ascended to the balcony.

Voices shouted: "It is in the name of the law that we have come here!" "Your duty as a functionary is to secure respect for the fundamental law of the land, the constitution, which has just been outrageously violated." "Long live the constitution! Long live the Republic!" Then as Monsieur Garconnet endeavoured to make himself heard, and continued to invoke his official dignity, the land-owner of La Palud, who was standing under the balcony, interrupted him with great vehemence: "You are now nothing but the functionary of a fallen functionary; we have come to dismiss you from your office." Hitherto, Commander Sicardot had been ragefully biting his moustache, and muttering insulting words.

The sight of the cudgels and scythes exasperated him; and he made desperate efforts to restrain himself from treating these twopenny-halfpenny soldiers, who had not even a gun apiece, as they deserved.