"I also did not say it was an immediate process. I cannot speak for the first republic, I was not alive then; but I have read many of their writings and letters that remain; and so I can imagine that it was not at all easy to set up a new foundation. France had many enemies then, and has many now. Some of them may play at being liberators in another land, and then come home and do the exact opposite in Paris." He sounds mild enough, but it's clear these are old hurts, though he is but 22. He remembers the July revolution of two years ago, for him, and he cannot forgive.

"It is difficult to explain, when we are from two very different places entirely, I suppose."