Page:Coubertin - France since 1814, 1900.djvu/48

 Decazes were at the head of cabinets which leaned more and more of their own accord towards the moderate Left. In 1820 the assassination of the Duc de Berri had been the signal for a reaction which restored to power Richelieu (changing his bearings this time for the Right), and then brought in Villèle, one of the leaders of the ultra party. Even the friends of the Villèle Ministry prophesied for it a brief existence. Nevertheless, it contrived to last seven years, and found itself still in power at the death of Louis XVIII.

At the Tuileries, the King found in his brother an indefatigable opponent. Not that the future Charles X., whose temperament was more or less amiable and frivolous, could have defended his opinions and pursued his ends with any very conspicuous decision ; but what was more serious, he suffered opposition to be organised in his name, and made himself its willing mouthpiece. I shall come back to this. The Duc d'Angoulême, who had too little self-confidence, and was, moreover, afraid of displeasing his father by taking his uncle's part, fortified himself by a discreet silence. The death of the Duc de Berri, second son of the Comte d'Artois, was a great misfortune