But it was impossible to wait until that hour.

Time pressed.

At the Palais Bourbon, as in the Rue Blanche, it was the universal feeling that each hour which passed by helped to accomplish the _coup d'etat_.

Every one felt as a reproach the weight of his silence or of his inaction; the circle of iron was closing in, the tide of soldiers rose unceasingly, and silently invaded the Palace; at each instant a sentinel the more was found at a door, which a moment before had been free.

Still, the group of Representatives assembled together in the Salle des Conferences was as yet respected.