ThetwousurerstookamentalinventoryofdesLupeaulx’sstudywhilehereadwithamazementandstupefactionadeedofpurchasewhichseemedwaftedtohimfromthecloudsbyangels。”Don’tyouthinkyouhaveapairofintelligentbusinessagentsinGobseckandme？”askedGigonnet。”Buttellme，towhatdoIowesuchableco-operation？”saiddesLupeaulx，suspiciousanduneasy。”Wekneweightdaysagoafactthatwithoutusyouwouldnothaveknowntillto-morrowmorning。Thepresidentofthechamberofcommerce，adeputy，asyouknow，feelshimselfobligedtoresign。”
　　DesLupeaulx’seyesdilated，andwereasbigasdaisies。”Yourministerhasbeentrickingyouaboutthisevent，”saidtheconciseGobseck。”Youmasterme，”saidthegeneral-secretary，bowingwithanairofprofoundrespect，borderinghowever，onsarcasm。”True，”saidGobseck。”Canyoumeantostrangleme？””Possibly。””Well，then，beginyourwork，executioners，”saidthesecretary，smiling。”Youwillsee，”resumedGigonnet，”thatthesumtotalofyourdebtsisaddedtothesumloanedbyusforthepurchaseoftheproperty；wehaveboughtthemup。””Herearethedeeds，”saidGobseck，takingfromthepocketofhisgreenishovercoatanumberoflegalpapers。”Youhavethreeyearsinwhichtopayoffthewholesum，”saidGigonnet。”But，”saiddesLupeaulx，frightenedatsuchkindness，andalsobysoapparentlyfantasticanarrangement。”Whatdoyouwantofme？””LaBillardiere’splaceforBaudoyer，”saidGigonnet，quickly。”That’sasmallmatter，thoughitwillbenexttoimpossibleformetodoit，”saiddesLupeaulx。”Ihavejusttiedmyhands。””Bitethecordswithyourteeth，”saidGigonnet。”Theyaresharp，”addedGobseck。”Isthatall？”askeddesLupeaulx。”Wekeepthetitle-deedsofthepropertytillthedebtsarepaid，”
　　saidGigonnet，puttingoneofthepapersbeforedesLupeaulx；”andifthematteroftheappointmentisnotsatisfactorilyarrangedwithinsixdaysournameswillbesubstitutedinplaceofyours。””Youaredeep，”criedthesecretary。”Exactly，”saidGobseck。”Andthisisall？”exclaimeddesLupeaulx。”All，”saidGobseck。”Youagree？”askedGigonnet。
　　DesLupeaulxnoddedhishead。”Well，then，signthispowerofattorney。WithintwodaysBaudoyeristobenominated；withinsixyourdebtswillbeclearedoff，and——””Andwhat？”askeddesLupeaulx。”Weguarantee——””Guarantee！——what？”saidthesecretary，moreandmoreastonished。”YourelectiontotheChamber，”saidGigonnet，risingonhisheels。”Wehavesecuredamajorityoffifty-twofarmers’andmechanics’
　　votes，whichwillbethrownpreciselyasthosewholendyouthismoneydictate。”
　　DesLupeaulxwrungGigonnet’shand。”Itisonlysuchaswewhonevermisunderstandeachother，”hesaid；”thisiswhatIcalldoingbusiness。I’llmakeyouareturngift。””Right，”saidGobseck。”Whatisit？”askedGigonnet。”ThecrossoftheLegionofhonorforyourimbecileofanephew。””Good，”saidGigonnet，”Iseeyouknowhimwell。”
　　ThepairtookleaveofdesLupeaulx，whoconductedthemtothestaircase。”Theymustbesecretenvoysfromforeignpowers，”whisperedthefootmentoeachother。
　　Onceinthestreet，thetwousurerslookedateachotherunderastreetlampandlaughed。”Hewilloweusninethousandfrancsinterestayear，”saidGigonnet；”thatpropertydoesn’tbringhiminfive。””Heisunderourthumbforalongtime，”saidGobseck。”He’llbuild；he’llcommitextravagancies，”continuedGigonnet；”Falleixwillgethisland。””Hisinterestisonlytobemadedeputy；theoldfoxlaughsattherest，”saidGobseck。”Hey！hey！””Hi！hi！”
　　Thesedrylittleexclamationsservedasalaughtothetwooldmen，whotooktheirwaybackalwaysonfoottotheCafeThemis。
　　DesLupeaulxreturnedtothesalonandfoundMadameRabourdinsailingwiththewindofsuccess，andverycharming；whilehisExcellency，usuallysogloomy，showedasmoothandgraciouscountenance。”Sheperformsmiracles，”thoughtdesLupeaulx。”Whatawonderfullycleverwoman！Imustgettothebottomofherheart。””Yourlittleladyisdecidedlyhandsome，”saidtheMarquisetothesecretary；”nowifsheonlyhadyourname。””Yes，herdefectisthatsheisthedaughterofanauctioneer。Shewillfailforwantofbirth，”replieddesLupeaulx，withacoldmannerthatcontrastedstrangelywiththeardorofhisremarksaboutMadameRabourdinnothalfanhourearlier。
　　Themarquiselookedathimfixedly。”Theglanceyougavethemdidnotescapeme，”shesaid，motioningtowardstheministerandMadameRabourdin；”itpiercedthemaskofyourspectacles。Howamusingyoubothare，toquarreloverthatbone！”
　　Asthemarquiseturnedtoleavetheroomtheministerjoinedherandescortedhertothedoor。”Well，”saiddesLupeaulxtoMadameRabourdin，”whatdoyouthinkofhisExcellency？””Heischarming。Wemustknowthesepoorministerstoappreciatethem，”sheadded，slightlyraisinghervoicesoastobeheardbyhisExcellency’swife。”Thenewspapersandtheoppositioncalumniesaresomisleadingaboutmeninpoliticsthatweareallmoreorlessinfluencedbythem；butsuchprejudicesturntotheadvantageofstatesmenwhenwecometoknowthempersonally。””Heisverygood-looking，”saiddesLupeaulx。”Yes，andIassureyouheisquitelovable，”shesaid，heartily。”Dearchild，”saiddesLupeaulx，withagenial，caressingmanner；”youhaveactuallydonetheimpossible。””Whatisthat？””Resuscitatedthedead。Ididnotthinkthatmanhadaheart；askhiswife。Buthemayhavejustenoughforapassingfancy。Thereforeprofitbyit。Comethisway，anddon’tbesurprised。”HeledMadameRabourdinintotheboudoir，placedheronasofa，andsatdownbesideher。”Youareverysly，”hesaid，”andIlikeyouthebetterforit。
　　Betweenourselves，youareacleverwoman。DesLupeaulxservedtobringyouintothishouse，andthatisallyouwantedofhim，isn’tit？NowwhenawomandecidestoloveamanforwhatshecangetoutofhimitisbettertotakeasexagenarianExcellencythanaquadragenariansecretary；there’smoreprofitandlessannoyance。I’mamanwithspectacles，grizzledhair，wornoutwithdissipation，——afinelover，truly！Itellmyselfallthisagainandagain。Itmustbeadmitted，ofcourse，thatIcansometimesbeuseful，butneveragreeable。Isn’tthatso？Amanmustbeafoolifhecannotreasonabouthimself。Youcansafelyadmitthetruthandletmeseetothedepthsofyourheart；wearepartners，notlovers。IfIshowsometendernessattimes，youaretoosuperiorawomantopayanyattentiontosuchfollies；youwillforgiveme，——youarenotaschool-girl，orabourgeoiseoftherueSaint-Denis。Bah！youandIaretoowellbroughtupforthat。There’stheMarquised’Espardwhohasjustlefttheroom；
　　thisispreciselywhatshethinksanddoes。SheandIcametoanunderstandingtwoyearsago[thecoxcomb！]，andnowshehasonlytowritemealineandsay，’MydeardesLupeaulx，youwillobligemebydoingsuchandsuchathing，’anditisdoneatonce。Weareengagedatthisverymomentingettingacommissionoflunacyonherhusband。
　　Ah！youwomen，youcangetwhatyouwantbythebestowalofafewfavors。Well，then，mydearchild，bewitchtheminister。I’llhelpyou；itismyinteresttodoso。Yes，Iwishhehadawomanwhocouldinfluencehim；hewouldn’tescapeme，——forhedoesescapemequiteoften，andthereasonisthatIholdhimonlythroughhisintellect。
　　NowifIwereonewithaprettywomanwhowasalsointimatewithhim，Ishouldholdhimbyhisweaknesses，andthatismuchthefirmestgrip。Therefore，letusbefriends，youandI，andsharetheadvantagesoftheconquestyouaremaking。”
　　MadameRabourdinlistenedinamazementtothissingularprofessionofrascality。Theapparentartlessnessofthispoliticalswindlerpreventedherfromsuspectingatrick。”Doyoubelievehereallythinksofme？”sheasked，fallingintothetrap。”Iknowit；Iamcertainofit。””IsittruethatRabourdin’sappointmentissigned？””Igavehimthepapersthismorning。Butitisnotenoughthatyourhusbandshouldbemadedirector；hemustbeMasterofpetitions。””Yes，”shesaid。”Well，then，gobacktothesalonandcoquettealittlemorewithhisExcellency。””Itistrue，”shesaid，”thatIneverfullyunderstoodyoutillto-night。ThereisnothingcommonplaceaboutYOU。””Wewillbetwooldfriends，”saiddesLupeaulx，”andsuppressalltendernonsenseandtormentinglove；wewilltakethingsastheydidundertheRegency。Ah！theyhadplentyofwitandwisdominthosedays！””Youarereallystrong；youdeservemyadmiration，”shesaid，smiling，andholdingoutherhandtohim，”onedoesmoreforone’sfriend，youknow，thanforone’s——”
　　Shelefthimwithoutfinishinghersentence。”Dearcreature！”thoughtdesLupeaulx，ashesawherapproachtheminister，”desLupeaulxhasnolongertheslightestremorseinturningagainstyou。To-morroweveningwhenyouoffermeacupoftea，youwillbeofferingmeathingInolongercarefor。Allisover。Ah！
　　whenamanisfortyyearsofagewomenmaytakepainstocatchhim，buttheywon’tlovehim。”
　　Helookedhimselfoverinamirror，admittinghonestlythatthoughhedidverywellasapoliticianhewasawreckontheshoresofCythera。
　　AtthesamemomentMadameRabourdinwasgatheringherselftogetherforabecomingexit。Shewishedtomakealastgracefulimpressiononthemindsofall，andshesucceeded。Contrarytotheusualcustominsociety，everyonecriedoutassoonasshewasgone，”Whatacharmingwoman！”andtheministerhimselftookhertotheouterdoor。”Iamquitesureyouwillthinkofmeto-morrow，”hesaid，alludingtotheappointment。”Therearesofewhighfunctionarieswhohaveagreeablewives，”
　　remarkedhisExcellencyonre-enteringtheroom，”thatIamverywellsatisfiedwithournewacquisition。””Don’tyouthinkheralittleoverpowering？”saiddesLupeaulxwithapiquedair。
　　Thewomenpresentallexchangedexpressiveglances；therivalrybetweentheministerandhissecretaryamusedthemandinstigatedoneofthoseprettylittlecomedieswhichParisianwomenplaysowell。
　　TheyexcitedandledonhisExcellencyanddesLupeaulxbyaseriesofcommentsonMadameRabourdin:onethoughthertoostudiedinmanner，tooeagertoappearclever；anothercomparedthegracesofthemiddleclasseswiththemannersofhighlife，whiledesLupeaulxdefendedhispretendedmistressaswealldefendanenemyinsociety。”Doherjustice，ladies，”hesaid；”isitnotextraordinarythatthedaughterofanauctioneershouldappearaswellasshedoes？Seewhereshecamefrom，andwhatsheis。ShewillendintheTuileries；thatiswhatsheintends，——shetoldmeso。””Supposesheisthedaughterofanauctioneer，”saidtheComtesseFeraud，smiling，”thatwillnothinderherhusband’srisetopower。””Notinthesedays，youmean，”saidtheminister’swife，tighteningherlips。”Madame，”saidhisExcellencytothecountess，sternly，”suchsentimentsandsuchspeechesleadtorevolutions；unhappily，thecourtandthegreatworlddonotrestrainthem。Youwouldhardlybelieve，however，howtheinjudiciousconductofthearistocracyinthisrespectdispleasescertainclear-sightedpersonagesatthepalace。IfIwereagreatlord，insteadofbeing，asIam，amerecountrygentlemanwhoseemstobeplacedwhereheistotransactyourbusinessforyou，themonarchywouldnotbeasinsecureasInowthinkitis。
　　Whatbecomesofathronewhichdoesnotbestowdignityonthosewhoadministeritsgovernment？Wearefarindeedfromthedayswhenakingcouldmakemengreatatwill，——suchmenasLouvois，Colbert，Richelieu，Jeannin，Villeroy，Sully，——Sully，inhisorigin，wasnogreaterthanI。Ispeaktoyouthusbecausewearehereinprivateamongourselves。IshouldbeverypaltryindeedifIwerepersonallyoffendedbysuchspeeches。Afterall，itisforusandnotforotherstomakeusgreat。””Youareappointed，dear，”criedCelestine，pressingherhusband’shandastheydroveaway。”IfithadnotbeenfordesLupeaulxIshouldhaveexplainedyourschemetohisExcellency。ButIwilldoitnextTuesday，anditwillhelpthefurthermatterofmakingyouMasterofpetitions。”
　　Inthelifeofeverywomantherecomesadaywhensheshinesinallherglory；adaywhichgivesheranunfadingrecollectiontowhichsherecurswithhappinessallherlife。AsMadameRabourdintookoffonebyonetheornamentsofherapparel，shethoughtovertheeventsofthisevening，andmarkedthedayamongthetriumphsandgloriesofherlife，——allherbeautieshadbeenseenandenvied，shehadbeenpraisedandflatteredbytheminister’swife，delightedthustomaketheotherwomenjealousofher；but，aboveall，hergraceandvanitieshadshonetotheprofitofconjugallove。Herhusbandwasappointed。”DidyouthinkIlookedwellto-night？”shesaidtohim，joyously。
　　AtthesameinstantMitral，waitingattheCafeThemis，sawthetwousurersreturning，butwasunabletoperceivetheslightestindicationsoftheresultontheirimpassiblefaces。”Whatofit？”hesaid，whentheywereallseatedattable。”Sameasever，”repliedGigonnet，rubbinghishands，”victorywithgold。””True，”saidGobseck。
　　MitraltookacabrioletandwentstraighttotheSaillardsandBaudoyers，whowerestillplayingbostonatalatehour。NoonewaspresentbuttheAbbeGaudron。Falleix，half-deadwiththefatigueofhisjourney，hadgonetobed。”Youwillbeappointed，nephew，”saidMitral；”andthere’sasurpriseinstoreforyou。””Whatisit？”askedSaillard。”ThecrossoftheLegionofhonor？”criedMitral。”Godprotectsthosewhoguardhisaltars，”saidGaudron。
　　ThustheTeDeumwassungwithequaljoyandconfidenceinbothcamps。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　FORWARD，MOLLUSKS！
　　Thenextday，Wednesday，MonsieurRabourdinwastotransactbusinesswiththeminister，forhehadfilledthelateLaBillardiere’splacesincethebeginningofthelatter’sillness。Onsuchdaystheclerkscamepunctually，theservantswerespeciallyattentive，therewasalwaysacertainexcitementintheofficesonthesesigning-days，——andwhy，nobodyeverknew。Onthisoccasionthethreeservantswereattheirpost，flatteringthemselvestheyshouldgetafewfees；forarumorofRabourdin’snominationhadspreadthroughtheministrythenightbefore，thankstoDutocq。UncleAntoineandLaurenthaddonnedtheirfulluniform，when，ataquartertoeight，desLupeaulx’sservantcameinwithaletter，whichhebeggedAntoinetogivesecretlytoDutocq，sayingthatthegeneral-secretaryhadorderedhimtodeliveritwithoutfailatMonsieurDutocq’shousebyseveno’clock。”I’msureIdon’tknowhowithappened，”hesaid，”butIoversleptmyself。I’veonlyjustwakedup，andhe’dplaythedevil’stattooonmeifheknewtheletterhadn’tgone。Iknowafamoussecret，Antoine；
　　butdon’tsayanythingaboutittotheclerksifItellyou；promise？
　　HewouldsendmeoffifheknewIhadsaidasingleword；hetoldmeso。””What’sinsidetheletter？”askedAntoine，eyingit。”Nothing；Ilookedthisway——see。”
　　Hemadethelettergapeopen，andshowedAntoinethattherewasnothingbutblankpapertobeseen。”Thisisgoingtobeagreatdayforyou，Laurent，”wentonthesecretary’sman。”Youaretohaveanewdirector。Economymustbetheorderoftheday，fortheyaregoingtounitethetwodivisionsunderonedirector——youfellowswillhavetolookout！””Yes，nineclerksareputontheretiredlist，”saidDutocq，whocameinatthemoment；”howdidyouhearthat？”
　　Antoinegavehimtheletter，andhehadnosooneropeneditthanherushedheadlongdownstairsinthedirectionofthesecretary’soffice。
　　ThebureausRabourdinandBaudoyer，afteridlingandgossipingsincethedeathofMonsieurdelaBillardiere，werenowrecoveringtheirusualofficiallookandthedolcefarnientehabitsofagovernmentoffice。Nevertheless，theapproachingendoftheyeardidcauserathermoreapplicationamongtheclerks，justasportersandservantsbecomeatthatseasonmoreunctuouslycivil。Theyallcamepunctually，foronething；moreremainedafterfouro’clockthanwasusualatothertimes。Itwasnotforgottenthatfeesandgratuitiesdependonthelastimpressionsmadeuponthemindsofmasters。Thenewsoftheunionofthetwodivisions，thatofLaBillardiereandthatofClergeot，underonedirector，hadspreadthroughthevariousoffices。Thenumberoftheclerkstoberetiredwasknown，butallwereinignoranceofthenames。ItwastakenforgrantedthatPoiretwouldnotbereplaced，andthatwouldbearetrenchment。LittleLaBillardierehadalreadydeparted。Twonewsupernumerarieshadmadetheirappearance，and，alarmingcircumstance！theywerebothsonsofdeputies。Thenewstoldaboutintheofficesthenightbefore，justastheclerksweredispersing，agitatedallminds，andforthefirsthalf-hourafterarrivalinthemorningtheystoodaroundthestovesandtalkeditover。Butearlierthanthat，Dutocq，aswehaveseen，hadrushedtodesLupeaulxonreceivinghisnote，andfoundhimdressing。Withoutlayingdownhisrazor，thegeneral-secretarycastuponhissubordinatetheglanceofageneralissuinganorder。”Arewealone？”heasked。”Yes，monsieur。””Verygood。MarchonRabourdin；forward！steady！Ofcourseyoukeptacopyofthatpaper？””Yes。””Youunderstandme？Indeiroe！Theremustbeageneralhueandcryraisedagainsthim。Findsomewaytostartaclamor——””Icouldgetamantomakeacaricature，butIhaven’tfivehundredfrancstopayforit。””Whowouldmakeit？””Bixou。””Heshallhaveathousandandbeunder-head-clerktoColleville，whowillarrangewiththem；tellhimso。””Buthewouldn’tbelieveitonnothingmorethanmyword。””Areyoutryingtomakemecompromisemyself？Eitherdothethingorletitalone；doyouhearme？””IfMonsieurBaudoyerweredirector——””Well，hewillbe。Gonow，andmakehaste；youhavenotimetolose。
　　Godowntheback-stairs；Idon’twantpeopletoknowyouhavejustseenme。”
　　WhileDutocqwasreturningtotheclerks’officeandaskinghimselfhowhecouldbestinciteaclamoragainsthischiefwithoutcompromisinghimself，BixiourushedtotheRabourdinofficeforawordofgreeting。Believingthathehadlosthisbettheincorrigiblejokerthoughtitamusingtopretendthathehadwonit。
　　Bixiou[mimickingPhellion’svoice]。”Gentlemen，Isaluteyouwithacollectivehowd’yedo，andIappointSundaynextforthedinnerattheRocherdeCancale。Butaseriousquestionpresentsitself。Isthatdinnertoincludetheclerkswhoaredismissed？”
　　Poiret。”Andthosewhoretire？”
　　Bixiou。”NotthatIcare，foritisn’tIwhopay。”[Generalstupefaction。]”Baudoyerisappointed。IthinkIalreadyhearhimcallingLaurent”[mimickingBaudoyer]，”Laurent！lockupmyhair-
　　shirt，andmyscourge。”[Theyallroarwithlaughter。]”Yes，yes，helaughswellwholaughslast。Gentlemen，there’sagreatdealinthatanagramofColleville’s。’XavierRabourdin，chefdebureau——D’abordrevabureaux，e-ufinriche。’IfIwerenamed’CharlesX。，parlagracedeDieuroideFranceetdeNavarre，’Ishouldtrembleinmyshoesatthefatethoselettersanagrammatize。”
　　Thuillier。”Lookhere！areyoumakingfun？”
　　Bixiou。”No，Iamnot。RabourdinresignsinarageatfindingBaudoyerappointeddirector。”
　　Vimeux[entering。]”Nonsense，nosuchthing！AntoinetowhomIhavejustbeenpayingfortyfrancsthatIowedhimtellsmethatMonsieurandMadameRabourdinwereattheminister’sprivatepartylastnightandstayedtillmidnight。HisExcellencyescortedMadameRabourdintothestaircase。Itseemsshewasdivinelydressed。Inshort，itisquitecertainthatRabourdinistobedirector。Riffe，thesecretary’scopyingclerk，toldmehesatupallthenightbeforetodrawthepapers；itisnolongerasecret。MonsieurClergeotisretired。Afterthirtyyears’servicethat’snomisfortune。MonsieurCochlin，whoisrich——”
　　Bixiou。”Bycochineal。”
　　Vimeux。”Yes，cochineal；he’sapartnerinthehouseofMatifat，ruedesLombards。Well，heisretired；soisPoiret。Neitheristobereplaced。Somuchiscertain；therestisallconjecture。TheappointmentofMonsieurRabourdinistobeannouncedthismorning；
　　theyareafraidofintrigues。”
　　Bixiou。”Whatintrigues？”
　　Fleury。”Baudoyer’s，confoundhim！Thepriestsupholdhim；here’sanotherarticleintheliberaljournal，——onlyhalfadozenlines，buttheyarequeer”[reads]:”CertainpersonsspokelastnightinthelobbyoftheOpera-houseofthereturnofMonsieurdeChateaubriandtotheministry，basingtheiropiniononthechoicemadeofMonsieurRabourdintheprotegeoffriendsofthenobleviscounttofilltheofficeforwhichMonsieurBaudoyerwasfirstselected。Theclericalpartyisnotlikelytowithdrawunlessindeferencetothegreatwriter。”Blackguards！”
　　Dutocq[entering，havingheardthewholediscussion]。”Blackguards！
　　Who？Rabourdin？Thenyouknowthenews？”
　　Fleury[rollinghiseyessavagely]。”Rabourdinablackguard！Areyoumad，Dutocq？doyouwantaballinyourbrainstogivethemweight？”
　　Dutocq。”IsaidnothingagainstMonsieurRabourdin；onlyithasjustbeentoldtomeinconfidencethathehaswrittenapaperdenouncingalltheclerksandofficials，andfulloffactsabouttheirlives；inshort，thereasonwhyhisfriendssupporthimisbecausehehaswrittenthispaperagainsttheadministration，inwhichweareallexposed——”
　　Phellion[inaloudvoice]。”MonsieurRabourdinisincapableof——”
　　Bixiou。”Veryproperinyoutosayso。Tellme，Dutocq”[theywhispertogetherandthengointothecorridor]。
　　Bixiou。”Whathashappened？”
　　Dutocq。”DoyourememberwhatIsaidtoyouaboutthatcaricature？”
　　Bixiou。”Yes，whatthen？”
　　Dutocq。”Makeit，andyoushallbeunder-head-clerkwithafamousfee。
　　Thefactis，mydearfellow，there’sdissensionamongthepowersthatbe。TheministerispledgedtoRabourdin，butifhedoesn’tappointBaudoyerheoffendsthepriestsandtheirparty。Yousee，theKing，theDauphinandtheDauphine，theclergy，andlastlythecourt，allwantBaudoyer；theministerwantsRabourdin。”
　　Bixiou。”Good！”
　　Dutocq。”Toeasethematteroff，theminister，whoseeshemustgiveway，wantstostranglethedifficulty。WemustfindsomegoodreasonforgettingridofRabourdin。Nowsomebodyhaslatelyunearthedapaperofhis，exposingthepresentsystemofadministrationandwantingtoreformit；andthatpaperisgoingtherounds，——atleast，thisishowIunderstandthematter。Makethedrawingwetalkedof；insodoingyou’llplaythegameofallthebigpeople，andhelptheminister，thecourt，theclergy，——inshort，everybody；andyou’llgetyourappointment。Nowdoyouunderstandme？”
　　Bixiou。”Idon’tunderstandhowyoucametoknowallthat；perhapsyouareinventingit。”
　　Dutocq。”DoyouwantmetoletyouseewhatRabourdinwroteaboutyou？”
　　Bixiou。”Yes。”
　　Dutocq。”Thencomehomewithme；forImustputthedocumentintosafekeeping。”
　　Bixiou。”Yougofirstalone。”[Re-entersthebureauRabourdin。]”WhatDutocqtoldyouisreallyalltrue，wordofhonor！ItseemsthatMonsieurRabourdinhaswrittenandsentinveryunflatteringdescriptionsoftheclerkswhomhewantsto’reform。’That’stherealreasonwhyhissecretfriendswishhimappointed。Well，well；weliveindayswhennothingastonishesme”[flingshiscloakabouthimlikeTalma，anddeclaims]:——”Thouwhohasseenthefallofgrand，illustriousheads，Whythusamazed，insensatethatthouart，”tofindamanlikeRabourdinemployingsuchmeans？Baudoyeristoomuchofafooltoknowhowtousethem。Acceptmycongratulations，gentlemen；eitherwayyouareunderamostillustriouschief”[goesoff]。
　　Poiret。”Ishallleavethisministrywithoutevercomprehendingasinglewordthatgentlemanutters。Whatdoeshemeanwithhis’headsthatfall’？”
　　Fleury。”’Headsthatfell？’why，thinkofthefoursergeantsofRochelle，Ney，Berton，Caron，thebrothersFaucher，andthemassacres。”
　　Phellion。”Heassertsveryflippantlythingsthatheonlyguessesat。”
　　Fleury。”Sayatoncethathelies；inhismouthtruthitselfturnstocorrosion。”
　　Phellion。”Yourlanguageisunparliamentaryandlacksthecourtesyandconsiderationwhichareduetoacolleague。”
　　Vimeux。”Itseemstomethatifwhathesaysisfalse，thepropernameforitiscalumny，defamationofcharacter；andsuchaslandererdeservesthethrashing。”
　　Fleury[gettinghot]。”Ifthegovernmentofficesarepublicplaces，thematteroughttobetakenintothepolice-courts。”
　　Phellion[wishingtoavertaquarrel，triestoturntheconversation]。”Gentleman，mightIaskyoutokeepquiet？Iamwritingalittletreatiseonmoralphilosophy，andIamjustattheheartofit。”
　　Fleury[interrupting]。”Whatareyousayingaboutit，MonsieurPhellion？”
　　Phellion[reading]。”Question——Whatisthesoulofman？”Answer——Aspiritualsubstancewhichthinksandreasons。”
　　Thuillier。”Spiritualsubstance！youmightaswelltalkaboutimmaterialstone。”
　　Poiret。”Don’tinterrupt；lethimgoon。”
　　Phellion[continuing]。”Quest——Whencecomesthesoul？”Ans——FromGod，whocreateditofanatureoneandindivisible；thedestructibilitythereofis，consequently，notconceivable，andhehathsaid——”
　　Poiret[amazed]。”Godsaid？”
　　Phellion。”Yes，monsieur；traditionauthorizesthestatement。”
　　Fleury[toPoiret]。”Come，don’tinterrupt，yourself。”
　　Phellion[resuming]。”——andhehathsaidthathecreateditimmortal；
　　inotherwords，thesoulcanneverdie。”Quest——Whataretheusesofthesoul？”Ans——Tocomprehend，towill，toremember；theseconstituteunderstanding，volition，memory。”Quest——Whataretheusesoftheunderstanding？”Ans——Toknow。Itistheeyeofthesoul。”
　　Fleury。”Andthesoulistheeyeofwhat？”
　　Phellion[continuing]。”Quest——Whatoughttheunderstandingtoknow？”Ans——Truth。”Quest——Whydoesmanpossessvolition？”Ans——Tolovegoodandhateevil。”Quest——Whatisgood？”Ans——Thatwhichmakesushappy。”
　　Vimeux。”Heavens！doyouteachthattoyoungladies？”
　　Phellion。”Yes”[continuing]。”Quest——Howmanykindsofgoodarethere？”
　　Fleury。”Amazinglyindecorous，tosaytheleast。”
　　Phellion[aggrieved]。”Oh，monsieur！”[Controllinghimself。]”Buthere’stheanswer，——that’sasfarasIhavegot”[reads]:——”Ans——Therearetwokindsofgood，——eternalgoodandtemporalgood。”
　　Poiret[withalookofcontempt]。”Anddoesthatsellforanything？”
　　Phellion。”Ihopeitwill。Itrequiresgreatapplicationofmindtocarryonasystemofquestionsandanswers；thatiswhyIaskyoutobequietandletmethink，fortheanswers——”
　　Thuillier[interrupting]。”Theanswersmightbesoldseparately。”
　　Poiret。”Isthatapun？”
　　Thuillier。”No；ariddle。”
　　Phellion。”IamsorryIinterruptedyou”[hedivesintohisofficedesk]。”But”[tohimself]”atanyrate，IhavestoppedtheirtalkingaboutMonsieurRabourdin。”
　　AtthismomentascenewastakingplacebetweentheministeranddesLupeaulxwhichdecidedRabourdin’sfate。Thegeneral-secretaryhadgonetoseetheministerinhisprivatestudybeforethebreakfast-
　　hour，tomakesurethatLaBrierewasnotwithinhearing。”YourExcellencyisnottreatingmefrankly——””Hemeansaquarrel，”thoughttheminister；”andallbecausehismistresscoquettedwithmelastnight。Ididnotthinkyousojuvenile，mydearfriend，”hesaidaloud。”Friend？”saidthegeneral-secretary，”thatiswhatIwanttofindout。”
　　TheministerlookedhaughtilyatdesLupeaulx。”Wearealone，”continuedthesecretary，”andwecancometoanunderstanding。Thedeputyofthearrondissementinwhichmyestateissituated——””Soitisreallyanestate！”saidtheminister，laughing，tohidehissurprise。”Increasedbyarecentpurchaseoftwohundredthousandfrancs’worthofadjacentproperty，”replieddesLupeaulx，carelessly。”Youknewofthedeputy’sapproachingresignationatleasttendaysago，andyoudidnottellmeofit。Youwereperhapsnotboundtodoso，butyouknewverywellthatIammostanxioustotakemyseatinthecentre。
　　HasitoccurredtoyouthatImightflingmyselfbackonthe’Doctrine’？——which，letmetellyou，willdestroytheadministrationandthemonarchybothifyoucontinuetoallowthepartyofrepresentativegovernmenttoberecruitedfrommenoftalentwhomyouignore。Don’tyouknowthatineverynationtherearefiftytosixty，notmore，dangerousheads，whoseschemesareinproportiontotheirambition？Thesecretofknowinghowtogovernistoknowthoseheadswell，andeithertochopthemofforbuythem。Idon’tknowhowmuchtalentIhave，butIknowthatIhaveambition；andyouarecommittingaseriousblunderwhenyousetasideamanwhowishesyouwell。Theanointedheaddazzlesforthetimebeing，butwhatnext？——Why，awarofwords；discussionswillspringuponcemoreandgrowembittered，envenomed。Then，foryourownsake，IadviseyounottofindmeattheLeftCentre。Inspiteofyourprefect’smanoeuvresinstructionsforwhichnodoubtwentfromhereconfidentiallyIamsecureofamajority。Thetimehascomeforyouandmetounderstandeachother。
　　Afterabreezelikethispeoplesometimesbecomecloserfriendsthanever。ImustbemadecountandreceivethegrandcordonoftheLegionofhonorasarewardformypublicservices。However，IcarelessforthosethingsjustnowthanIdoforsomethingelseinwhichyouaremorepersonallyconcerned。YouhavenotyetappointedRabourdin，andI
　　havenewsthismorningwhichtendstoshowthatmostpersonswillbebettersatisfiedifyouappointBaudoyer。””AppointBaudoyer！”echoedtheminister。”Doyouknowhim？””Yes，”saiddesLupeaulx；”butsupposeheprovesincapable，ashewill，youcanthengetridofhimbyaskingthosewhoprotecthimtoemployhimelsewhere。Youwillthusgetbackanimportantofficetogivetofriends；itmaycomeinattherightmomenttofacilitatesomecompromise。””ButIhavepledgedittoRabourdin。””Thatmaybe；andIdon’taskyoutomakethechangethisveryday。I
　　knowthedangerofsayingyesandnowithintwenty-fourhours。Butpostponetheappointment，anddon’tsignthepaperstillthedayafterto-morrow；bythattimeyoumayfinditimpossibletoretainRabourdin，——infact，inallprobability，hewillsendyouhisresignation——””Hisresignation？””Yes。””Why？””Heisthetoolofasecretpowerinwhoseinterestshehascarriedonasystemofespionageinalltheministries，andthethinghasbeendiscoveredbymereaccident。Hehaswrittenapaperofsomekind，givingshorthistoriesofalltheofficials。Everybodyistalkingofit；theclerksarefurious。Forheaven’ssake，don’ttransactbusinesswithhimto-day；letmefindsomemeansforyoutoavoidit。AskanaudienceoftheKing；IamsureyouwillfindgreatsatisfactionthereifyouconcedethepointaboutBaudoyer；andyoucanobtainsomethingasanequivalent。Yourpositionwillbebetterthaneverifyouareforcedlatertodismissafoolwhomthecourtpartyimposeuponyou。””WhathasmadeyouturnagainstRabourdin？””WouldyouforgiveMonsieurdeChateaubriandforwritinganarticleagainsttheministry？Well，readthat，andseehowRabourdinhastreatedmeinhissecretdocument，”saiddesLupeaulx，givingthepapertotheminister。”Hepretendstoreorganizethegovernmentfrombeginningtoend，——nodoubtintheinterestsofsomesecretsocietyofwhich，asyet，weknownothing。Ishallcontinuetobehisfriendforthesakeofwatchinghim；bythatmeansImayrenderthegovernmentsuchsignalservicethattheywillhavetomakemecount；forthepeerageistheonlythingIreallycarefor。IwantyoufullytounderstandthatIamnotseekingofficeoranythingelsethatwouldcausemetostandinyourway；Iamsimplyaimingforthepeerage，whichwillenablemetomarryabanker’sdaughterwithanincomeofacoupleofhundredthousandfrancs。Andso，allowmetorenderyouafewsignalserviceswhichwillmaketheKingfeelthatIhavesavedthethrone。IhavelongsaidthatLiberalismwouldneverofferusapitchedbattle。Ithasgivenupconspiracies，Carbonaroism，andrevoltswithweapons；itisnowsappingandmining，andthedayiscomingwhenitwillbeabletosay，’Outofthatandletmein！’DoyouthinkIhavebeencourtingRabourdin’swifeformyownpleasure？
　　No，butIgotmuchinformationfromher。Sonow，letusagreeontwothings；first，thepostponementoftheappointment；second，yourSINCEREsupportofmyelection。YoushallfindattheendofthesessionthatIhaveamplyrepaidyou。”
　　Forallanswer，theministertooktheappointmentpapersandplacedthemindesLupeaulx’shand。”IwillgoandtellRabourdin，”addeddesLupeaulx，”thatyoucannottransactbusinesswithhimtillSaturday。”
　　Theministerrepliedwithanassentinggesture。ThesecretarydespatchedhismanwithamessagetoRabourdinthattheministercouldnotworkwithhimuntilSaturday，onwhichdaytheChamberwasoccupiedwithprivatebills，andhisExcellencyhadmoretimeathisdisposal。
　　JustatthismomentSaillard，havingbroughtthemonthlystipend，wasslippinghislittlespeechintotheearoftheminister’swife，whodrewherselfupandansweredwithdignitythatshedidnotmeddleinpoliticalmatters，andbesides，shehadheardthatMonsieurRabourdinwasalreadyappointed。Saillard，terrified，rusheduptoBaudoyer’soffice，wherehefoundDutocq，Godard，andBixiouinastateofexasperationdifficulttodescribe；fortheywerereadingtheterriblepaperontheadministrationinwhichtheywerealldiscussed。
　　Bixiou[withhisfingeronaparagraph]。”HereYOUare，pereSaillard。
　　Listen”[reads]:——”Saillard——Theofficeofcashiertobesuppressedinalltheministries；theiraccountstobekeptinfutureattheTreasury。
　　Saillardisrichanddoesnotneedapension。”Doyouwanttohearaboutyourson-in-law？”[Turnsovertheleaves。]”Hereheis”[reads]:——”Baudoyer——Utterlyincapable。Tobethankedanddismissed。Rich；doesnotneedapension。”Andhere’sforGodard”[reads]:——”Godard——Shouldbedismissed；pensionone-thirdofhispresentsalary。”Inshort，hereweallare。ListentowhatIam”[reads]:”Anartistwhomightbeemployedbythecivillist，attheOpera，ortheMenus-
　　Plaisirs，ortheMuseum。Greatdealofcapacity，littleself-respect，noapplication，——arestlessspirit。Ha！I’llgiveyouatouchoftheartist，MonsieurRabourdin！”
　　Saillard。”Suppresscashiers！Why，theman’samonster？”
　　Bixiou。”LetusseewhathesaysofourmysteriousDesroys。”[Turnsoverthepages；reads。]”Desroys——Dangerous；becausehecannotbeshakeninprinciplesthataresubversiveofmonarchialpower。HeisthesonoftheConventionel，andheadmirestheConvention。Hemaybecomeaverymischievousjournalist。”
　　Baudoyer。”Thepolicearenotworsespies！”
　　Godard。”Ishallgothegeneral-secretaryandlayacomplaintinform；
　　wemustallresigninabodyifsuchamanasthatisputoverus。”
　　Dutocq。”Gentlemen，listentome；letusbeprudent。Ifyouriseatonceinabody，wemayallbeaccusedofrancorandrevenge。No，letthethingwork，lettherumorspreadquietly。Whenthewholeministryisarousedyourremonstranceswillmeetwithgeneralapproval。”
　　Bixiou。”DutocqbelievesintheprinciplesofthegrandaircomposedbythesublimeRossiniforBasilio，——whichgoestoshow，bythebye，thatthegreatcomposerwasalsoagreatpolitician。IshallleavemycardonMonsieurRabourdinto-morrowmorning，inscribedthus:’Bixiou；
　　noself-respect，noapplication，restlessmind。’”
　　Godard。”Agoodidea，gentlemen。Letusallleaveourcardsto-morrowonRabourdininscribedinthesameway。”
　　Dutocq[leadingBixiouapart]。”Come，you’llagreetomakethatcaricaturenow，won’tyou？”
　　Bixiou。”Iseeplainly，mydearfellow，thatyouknewallaboutthisaffairtendaysago”[lookshimintheeye]。”AmItobeunder-head-
　　clerk？”
　　Dutocq。”Onmywordofhonor，yes，andathousand-francfeebeside，justasItoldyou。Youdon’tknowwhataserviceyou’llberenderingtopowerfulpersonages。”
　　Bixiou。”Youknowthem？”
　　Dutocq。”Yes。”
　　Bixiou。”Well，thenIwanttospeakwiththem。”
　　Dutocq[dryly]。”Youcanmakethecaricatureornot，andyoucanbeunder-head-clerkornot，——asyouplease。”
　　Bixiou。”Atanyrate，letmeseethatthousandfrancs。”
　　Dutocq。”Youshallhavethemwhenyoubringthedrawing。”
　　Bixiou。”Forward，march！thatlampoonshallgofromendtoendofthebureausto-morrowmorning。LetusgoandtormenttheRabourdins。”
　　[ThenspeakingtoSaillard，Godard，andBaudoyer，whoweretalkingtogetherinalowvoice。]”Wearegoingtostiruptheneighbors。”
　　[GoeswithDutocqintotheRabourdinbureau。Fleury，Thuillier，andVimeuxarethere，talkingexcitedly。]”What’sthematter，gentlemen？
　　AllthatItoldyouturnsouttobetrue；youcangoandseeforyourselvestheworkofthisinfamousinformer；foritisinthehandsofthevirtuous，honest，estimable，upright，andpiousBaudoyer，whoisindeedutterlyincapableofdoinganysuchthing。Yourchiefhasgoteveryoneofyouundertheguillotine。Goandsee；followthecrowd；moneyreturnedifyouarenotsatisfied；executionGRATIS！Theappointmentsarepostponed。Allthebureausareinarms；Rabourdinhasbeeninformedthattheministerwillnotworkwithhim。Come，beoff；
　　goandseeforyourselves。”
　　TheyalldepartexceptPhellionandPoiret，whoareleftalone。TheformerlovedRabourdintoowelltolookforproofthatmightinjureamanhewasdeterminednottojudge；theotherhadonlyfivedaysmoretoremainintheoffice，andcarednothingeitherway。JustthenSebastiencamedowntocollectthepapersforsignature。Hewasagooddealsurprised，thoughhedidnotshowit，tofindtheofficedeserted。
　　Phellion。”Myyoungfriend”[herose，ararething]，”doyouknowwhatisgoingon？whatscandalsarerifeaboutMonsieurRabourdinwhomyoulove，and”[bendingtowhisperinSebastien’sear]”whomIloveasmuchasIrespecthim。Theysayhehascommittedtheimprudencetoleaveapapercontainingcommentsontheofficialslyingaboutintheoffice——”[Phellionstoppedshort，caughttheyoungmaninhisstrongarms，seeingthatheturnedpaleandwasnearfainting，andplacedhimonachair。]”Akey，MonsieurPoiret，toputdownhisback；haveyouakey？”
　　Poiret。”Ihavethekeyofmydomicile。”
　　[OldPoiretjuniorpromptlyinsertedthesaidkeybetweenSebastien’sshoulders，whilePhelliongavehimsomewatertodrink。Thepoorladnosooneropenedhiseyesthanhebegantoweep。HelaidhisheadonPhellion’sdesk，andallhislimbswerelimpasifstruckbylightning；whilehissobsweresoheartrending，sogenuine，thatforthefirsttimeinhislifePoiret’sfeelingswerestirredbythesufferingsofanother。]
　　Phellion[speakingfirmly]。”Come，come，myyoungfriend；courage！Intimesoftrialwemustshowcourage。Youareaman。Whatisthematter？Whathashappenedtodistressyousoterribly？”
　　Sebastien[sobbing]。”ItisIwhohaveruinedMonsieurRabourdin。I
　　leftthatpaperlyingaboutwhenIcopiedit。Ihavekilledmybenefactor；Ishalldiemyself。Suchanobleman！——amanwhooughttobeminister！”
　　Poiret[blowinghisnose]。”Thenitistruehewrotethereport。”
　　Sebastien[stillsobbing]。”Butitwasto——there，Iwasgoingtotellhissecrets！Ah！thatwretchofaDutocq；itwashewhostolethepaper。”
　　HistearsandsobsrecommencedandmadesomuchnoisethatRabourdincameuptoseewhatwasthematter。HefoundtheyoungfellowalmostfaintinginthearmsofPoiretandPhellion。
　　Rabourdin。”Whatisthematter，gentlemen？”
　　Sebastien[strugglingtohisfeet，andthenfallingonhiskneesbeforeRabourdin]。”Ihaveruinedyou，monsieur。Thatmemorandum，——
　　Dutocq，themonster，hemusthavetakenit。”
　　Rabourdin[calmly]。”Iknewthatalready”[heliftsSebastien]。”Youareachild，myyoungfriend。”[SpeakstoPhellion。]”Wherearetheothergentlemen？”
　　Phellion。”TheyhavegoneintoMonsieurBaudoyer’sofficetoseeapaperwhichitissaid——”
　　Rabourdin[interruptinghim]。”Enough。”[Goesout，takingSebastienwithhim。PoiretandPhellionlookateachotherinamazement，anddonotknowwhattosay。]
　　Poiret[toPhellion]。”MonsieurRabourdin——”
　　Phellion[toPoiret]。”MonsieurRabourdin——”
　　Poiret。”Well，Inever！MonsieurRabourdin！”
　　Phellion。”Butdidyounoticehowcalmanddignifiedhewas？”
　　Poiret[withaslylookthatwasmorelikeagrimace]。”Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifthereweresomethingunderitall。”
　　Phellion。”Amanofhonor；pureandspotless。”
　　Poiret。”Whois？”
　　Phellion。”MonsieurPoiret，youthinkasIthinkaboutDutocq；surelyyouunderstandme？”
　　Poiret[noddinghisheadthreetimesandansweringwithashrewdlook]。”Yes。”[Theotherclerksreturn。]
　　Fleury。”Agreatshock；Istilldon’tbelievethething。MonsieurRabourdin，akingamongmen！Ifsuchmenarespies，itisenoughtodisgustonewithvirtue。IhavealwaysputRabourdinamongPlutarch’sheroes。”
　　Vimeux。”Itisalltrue。”
　　Poiret[reflectingthathehadonlyfivedaysmoretostayintheoffice]。”But，gentlemen，whatdoyousayaboutthemanwhostolethatpaper，whospieduponRabourdin？”[Dutocqlefttheroom。]
　　Fleury。”IsayheisaJudasIscariot。Whoishe？”
　　Phellion[significantly]。”HeisnothereatTHISMOMENT。”
　　Vimeux[enlightened]。”ItisDutocq！”
　　Phellion。”Ihavenoproofofit，gentlemen。Whileyouweregone，thatyoungman，MonsieurdelaRoche，nearlyfaintedhere。Seehistearsonmydesk！”
　　Poiret。”Weheldhimfaintinginourarms——Mykey，thekeyofmydomicile！——dear，dear！itisdownhisback。”[Poiretgoeshastilyout。]
　　Vimeux。”TheministerrefusedtotransactbusinesswithRabourdinto-
　　day；andMonsieurSaillard，towhomthesecretarysaidafewwords，cametotellMonsieurBaudoyertoapplyforthecrossoftheLegionofhonor，——thereisonetobegranted，youknow，onNew-Year’sday，toalltheheadsofdivisions。Itisquiteclearwhatitallmeans。
　　MonsieurRabourdinissacrificedbytheverypersonswhoemployedhim。
　　Bixiousaysso。Wewerealltobeturnedout，exceptSebastienandPhellion。”
　　DuBruel[entering]。”Well，gentlemen，isittrue？”
　　Thuillier。”Tothelastword。”
　　DuBruel[puttinghishatonagain]。”Good-bye。”[Hurriesout。]
　　Thuillier。”HemayrushasmuchashepleasestohisDucdeRhetoreandDucdeMaufrigneuse，butCollevilleistobeourunder-head-clerk，that’scertain。”
　　Phellion。”DuBruelalwaysseemedtobeattachedtoMonsieurRabourdin。”
　　Poiret[returning]。”Ihavehadaworldoftroubletogetbackmykey。
　　Thatboyiscryingstill，andMonsieurRabourdinhasdisappeared。”
　　[DutocqandBixiouenter。]
　　Bixiou。”Ha，gentlemen！strangethingsaregoingoninyourbureau。DuBruel！Iwantyou。”[Looksintotheadjoiningroom。]”Gone？”
　　Thuillier。”Fullspeed。”
　　Bixiou。”WhataboutRabourdin？”
　　Fleury。”Distilled，evaporated，melted！Suchaman，thekingofmen，thathe——”
　　Poiret[toDutocq]。”ThatlittleSebastien，inhistrouble，saidthatyou，MonsieurDutocq，hadtakenthepaperfromhimtendaysago。”
　　Bixiou[lookingatDutocq]。”YoumustclearyourselfofTHAT，mygoodfriend。”[AlltheclerkslookfixedlyatDutocq。]
　　Dutocq。”Where’sthelittleviperwhocopiedit？”
　　Bixiou。”Copiedit？Howdidyouknowhecopiedit？Ha！ha！itisonlythediamondthatcutsthediamond。”[Dutocqleavestheroom。]
　　Poiret。”Wouldyoulistentome，MonsieurBixiou？Ihaveonlyfivedaysandahalftostayinthisoffice，andIdowishthatonce，onlyonce，Imighthavethepleasureofunderstandingwhatyoumean。Domethehonortoexplainwhatdiamondshavetodowiththesepresentcircumstances。”
　　Bixiou。”Imeantpapa，——forI’mwillingforoncetobringmyintellectdowntothelevelofyours，——thatjustasthediamondalonecancutthediamond，soitisonlyoneinquisitivemanwhocandefeatanotherinquisitiveman。”
　　Fleury。”’Inquisitiveman’standsfor’spy。’”
　　Poiret。”Idon’tunderstand。”
　　Bixiou。”Verywell；tryagainsomeothertime。”
　　MonsieurRabourdin，aftertakingSebastientohisroom，hadgonestraighttotheminister；buttheministerwasattheChamberofDeputies。RabourdinwentatoncetotheChamber，wherehewroteanotetohisExcellency，whowasatthatmomentinthetribuneengagedinahotdiscussion。Rabourdinwaited，notintheconferencehall，butinthecourtyard，where，inspiteofthecold，heresolvedtoremainandintercepthisExcellencyashegotintohiscarriage。TheusheroftheChamberhadtoldhimthattheministerwasinthethickofacontroversyraisedbythenineteenmembersoftheextremeLeft，andthatthesessionwaslikelytobestormy。Rabourdinwalkedtoandforinthecourtyardofthepalaceforfivemortalhours，apreytofeverishagitation。Athalf-pastsixo’clockthesessionbrokeup，andthemembersfiledout。Theminister’schasseurcameuptofindthecoachman。”Hi，Jean！”hecalledouttohim；”Monseigneurhasgonewiththeministerofwar；theyaregoingtoseetheKing，andafterthattheydinetogether，andwearetofetchhimatteno’clock。There’saCouncilthisevening。”
　　Rabourdinwalkedslowlyhome，inastateofdespondencynotdifficulttoimagine。Itwasseveno’clock，andhehadbarelytimetodress。”Well，youareappointed？”criedhiswife，joyously，asheenteredthesalon。
　　Rabourdinraisedhisheadwithagrievousmotionofdistressandanswered，”IfearIshallneveragainsetfootintheministry。””What？”saidhiswife，quiveringwithsuddenanxiety。”Mymemorandumontheofficialsisknowninalltheoffices；andI
　　havenotbeenabletoseetheminister。”
　　Celestine’seyeswereopenedtoasuddenvisioninwhichthedevil，inoneofhisinfernalflashes，showedherthemeaningofherlastconversationwithdesLupeaulx。”IfIhadbehavedlikealowwoman，”shethought，”weshouldhavehadtheplace。”
　　ShelookedatRabourdinwithgriefinherheart。Asadsilencefellbetweenthem，anddinnerwaseateninthemidstofgloomymeditations。”AnditismyWednesday，”shesaidatlast。”Allisnotlost，dearCelestine，”saidRabourdin，layingakissonhiswife’sforehead；”perhapsto-morrowIshallbeabletoseetheministerandexplaineverything。Sebastiensatupalllastnighttofinishthewriting；thepapersarecopiedandcollated；Ishallplacethemontheminister’sdeskandbeghimtoreadthemthrough。LaBrierewillhelpme。Amanisnevercondemnedwithoutahearing。””IamcurioustoseeifMonsieurdesLupeaulxwillcomehereto-
　　night。””He？Ofcoursehewillcome，”saidRabourdin；”there’ssomethingofthetigerinhim；helikestolickthebloodofthewoundshehasgiven。””Mypoorhusband，”saidhiswife，takinghishand，”Idon’tseehowitisthatamanwhocouldconceivesonobleareformdidnotalsoseethatitoughtnottobecommunicatedtoasingleperson。Itisoneofthoseideasthatamanshouldkeepinhisownmind，forhealonecanapplythem。AstatesmanmustdoinourpoliticalsphereasNapoleondidinhis；hestooped，twisted，crawled。Yes，Bonapartecrawled！Tobemadecommander-in-chiefoftheArmyofItalyhemarriedBarrere’smistress。Youshouldhavewaited，gotyourselfelecteddeputy，followedthepoliticsofaparty，sometimesdowninthedepths，atothertimesonthecrestofthewave，andyoushouldhavetaken，likeMonsieurdeVillele，theItalianmotto’Coltempo，’inotherwords，’Allthingsaregiventohimwhoknowshowtowait。’Thatgreatoratorworkedforsevenyearstogetintopower；hebeganin1814byprotestingagainsttheCharterwhenhewasthesameagethatyouarenow。Here’syourfault；youhaveallowedyourselftobekeptsubordinate，whenyouwereborntorule。”
　　TheentranceofthepainterSchinnerimposedsilenceonthewifeandhusband，butthesewordsmadethelatterthoughtful。”Dearfriend，”saidthepainter，graspingRabourdin’shand，”thesupportofartistsisauselessthingenough，butletmesayunderthesecircumstancesthatweareallfaithfultoyou。Ihavejustreadtheeveningpapers。BaudoyerisappointeddirectorandreceivesthecrossoftheLegionofhonor——””Ihavebeenlongerinthedepartment，Ihaveservedtwenty-fourhours，”saidRabourdinwithasmile。”IknowMonsieurleComtedeSerizy，theministerofState，prettywell，andifhecanhelpyou，Iwillgoandseehim，”saidSchinner。
　　Thesalonsoonfilledwithpersonswhoknewnothingofthegovernmentproceedings。DuBrueldidnotappear。MadameRabourdinwasgayerandmoregracefulthanever，likethechargerwoundedinbattle，thatstillfindsstrengthtocarryhismasterfromthefield。”Sheisverycourageous，”saidafewwomenwhoknewthetruth，andwhowerecharminglyattentivetoher，understandinghermisfortunes。”ButshecertainlydidagreatdealtoattractdesLupeaulx，”saidtheBaronneduChatelettotheVicomtessedeFontaine。”Doyouthink——”beganthevicomtesse。”Ifso，”interruptedMadamedeCamps，indefenceofherfriend，”MonsieurRabourdinwouldatleasthavehadthecross。”
　　Abouteleveno’clockdesLupeaulxappeared；andwecanonlydescribehimbysayingthathisspectaclesweresadandhiseyesjoyous；theglasses，however，obscuredtheglancessosuccessfullythatonlyaphysiognomistwouldhaveseenthediabolicalexpressionwhichtheywore。HewentuptoRabourdinandpressedthehandwhichthelattercouldnotavoidgivinghim。