The _Tiers Etat_ with dignity and firmness insisted that they should meet and vote together as one body, or they would constitute themselves a separate body, and act independently of the other two.

This was the Rubicon.
On one side compromise, and possible co-operation of the three legislative bodies; on the other, revolution, in charge of the people.
Aristocratic France was offered its last chance, and committed its last act of arrogance and folly.

The ultimatum was refused by the nobles and clergy.

And the _Tiers Etat_ declared itself the National Assembly, in which was vested all the legislative authority of the kingdom.

The people had taken possession of the Government of France! The predetermined destruction of the monarchy seems evident, when at the most critical point, and at the moment calling for the most careful retrenchment and reform, fate had placed Louis XV., acting like a madman in the excesses of his profligacy; and, at the next stage, while the last opportunity still existed by main force to drag the nation back, and hold it from going over the brink, there stood the most excellent, the kindest-hearted but weakest gentleman who ever wore the name of king! When the distracted Louis gave the impotent order for the National Assembly to disperse, and for the three bodies to assemble and vote separately, according to ancient custom; and then when he gave still further proof of childish incompetency by telling the _Tiers Etat_ they were "not to meddle with the privileges of the higher orders," kingship had become a mockery.