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this time, however, Louis-Philippe actively maintained his connection with the malcontents, and depended upon his influence with the Duchess de Berri to blind the Sovereign. This amiable and accomplished lady reposed implicit trust in the family of Orleans, to whom she was greatly attached. It deserves to be recorded, that when she was told that the large fortune of Condé, intended for her own son, had, through the intrigues of Madame de Feuchères descended to the other branch, she only exclaimed-"J'en suis bien aise, parceque les D'Orleans sont si bonnes gens." The Duke of Orleans was assisted in this domestic dupery by the visit of the King of Naples and his family to Paris, on their return from Madrid, a few weeks before the revolution of July. The presence of these royal relatives occasioned an unusual degree of intercourse between all members of the family; and as the embarrassments of the Court had at that period assumed a very serious aspect, Louis-Philippe spared no protestations of devotion to Charles. A few days before the departure of their Sicilian Majesties, the Duke of Orleans entertained them with a grand fête at the Palais Royal. Although it was not etiquette for the King of France to attend the assemblies of private individuals, Charles, upon this occasion, resolved

to honour the Palais Royal with his presence; a high compliment to the Duke, but somewhat embarrassing.

The King arrived, and scattered about his observations with his usual felicitous affability. Perceiving a group of deputies, and desirous of noticing them, he enquired their names. "Benjamin Constant, Mechin," and others of that calibre! Under all circumstances, the King could only regard the presence of these individuals as an insult; he expressed himself in significant terms, and in a few minutes retired.

At this moment the result of the Algerine expedition was doubtful, and the Duke of Orleans showed much interest about the result. His anxiety to gain intelligence on this subject was evident. A few nights after, at a ball given by the Spanish Ambassador, a report was about, that news had arrived from Algiers. The Duke of Orleans was extremely anxious to ascertain the truth; and he at length addressed Baron d'Haussez, the Minister of Marine, and begged, if it were not considered indiscreet, to enquire whether there were any truth in the rumour of the arrival of a despatch.

"It is in my pocket," answered the Baron; ❝and I have the great pleasure to inform your

Royal Highness that it announces our complete triumph." The countenance of the Duke fell; he could not conceal his chagrin, and he walked away. In a few minutes, the Duke of Orleans quitted the ball; although his family, and their Sicilian Majesties, remained until a very late hour.

From this evening the Duke became more circumspect in his conferences with the Opposition. There were no more assemblies at the Palais Royal; but his Royal Highness sought for opportunities of discussing affairs with the agitators.

As the conspirators had, at this time, prepared every thing for the revolt, it was much feared that the success at Algiers might render it possible for the Ministry to maintain themselves without immediately having recourse to a coup d'état. It was therefore most important that the King should be induced to adopt some very unpopular measure. On the day of the departure of their Sicilian Majesties from Paris, the Duchess de Berri and the Orleans family attended them as far as Fontainbleau, and took leave of them in that town. The Duke de Blacas had been appointed by the King of France to accompany the Royal visiters to the frontiers of the kingdom, to be the representative of the King. The

unbounded confidence which Charles X. deservedly reposed in the Duke de Blacas is well known. Just as the Duke de Blacas was about to enter his carriage, in order to follow the cortége, the Duke of Orleans took him aside, and pressing his hand with an air of deep interest, he said-"My dear Duke de Blacas, your influence with his Majesty is unbounded: it is an influence merited by your devotion; exercise it for the good of the Crown; advise the King to recal Villèle." We all know now the object of this advice. Such an appointment would have been considered by the conspirators as a pretext to attack the throne. As a distinguished "liberal " since observed to me, the nomination would have been as good as the ordonnances.

On the 14th of July, while the Duke and Duchess of Orleans were paying a visit to the Duchess of Berri at Rosny, Charles X. arrived at the château with a numerous suite. The Duke of Orleans immediately hastened to the King, and offered him the most earnest congratulations on the royal proclamation which the King had immediately before addressed to the Electors. n'y a rien que de juste ; c'est court, mais c'est ferme,” answered the King.

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This proclamation, at the time, and ever since,

has been made by the Orleanists the subject of capital accusations against the King.

On the 21st, there was a party at Neuilly, attended by all the Doctrinaires in high feather. The Duke was very much excited, very busy in every corner, and giving private audiences in every window. A certain personage, whose countenance was very much courted by the Orleanists, but the sincerity of whose support was perhaps questionable, was addressed by the Duke as he was about to retire; and a conversation occurred, in which his Royal Highness took every means to extract an opinion from his visitor as to impending events. The visitor, in turn, became a querist, and ventured to enquire whether his Royal Highness could throw any light upon the future. The Duke appeared anxious, and, for him, unusually excited; he uttered a few phrases which signified nothing, and then added, with an expression of arrière pensée — " In a few days, perhaps, you will hear something extraordinary."

These are slight traits; but now that the great events have taken place, I recal many little incidents that occurred in society previous to the explosion, with curiosity and interest. I remember that on the 25th of July, the same day that the Ordonnances were signed, a grand fête

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