I heard a man of the lower classes say, with an expression of horror: "It is like walking upon a spring-board."' "The crowd continued to flock to the various spots where the victims had been carried, especially to the Cite Bergere, so that, on this day, the fifth, as the numbers increased to such an extent as to become troublesome, and as it was necessary to get rid of them, these words, written in capital letters on a large placard, were to be seen at the entrance of the Cite Bergere: 'There are no more dead bodies here.' "The three naked corpses on Rue Grange-Bateliere were not removed until the evening of the fifth.
"It is evident, and we insist upon it, that at first, and for the advantage which it wished to derive from it, the _coup d'etat_ did not make the least endeavour to conceal its crime; shame did not come until later; the first day, on the contrary, it flaunted it.

It was not content with atrocity, it must needs add cynicism.

Massacre was but a means; the end was intimidation.
X "Was this end attained?
"Yes.
"Immediately afterwards, as early as the evening of December 4, the public excitement subsided.

Paris was frozen with stupor.

The indignation that raised its voice before the _coup d'etat_, held its peace before the carnage.