第1章

TotheComtesseSeraphinaSanSeverino，withtherespectfulhomageofsincereanddeepadmiration。

DeBalzac。

BUREAUCRACY

CHAPTERI

THERABOURDINHOUSEHOLD

InParis，wheremenofthoughtandstudybearacertainlikenesstooneanother，livingastheydoinacommoncentre，youmusthavemetwithseveralresemblingMonsieurRabourdin，whoseacquaintanceweareabouttomakeatamomentwhenheisheadofabureauinoneofourmostimportantministries。Atthisperiodhewasfortyyearsold，withgrayhairofsopleasingashadethatwomenmightatapinchfallinlovewithitforitsoftenedasomewhatmelancholycountenance，blueeyesfulloffire，askinthatwasstillfair，thoughratherruddyandtouchedhereandtherewithstrongredmarks；aforeheadandnosealaLouisXV。，aseriousmouth，atallfigure，thin，orperhapswasted，likethatofamanjustrecoveringfromillness，andfinally，abearingthatwasmidwaybetweentheindolenceofamereidlerandthethoughtfulnessofabusyman。Ifthisportraitservestodepicthischaracter，asketchofthisman’sdresswillbringitstillfurtherintorelief。Rabourdinworehabituallyabluesurcoat，awhitecravat，awaistcoatcrossedalaRobespierre，blacktrouserswithoutstraps，graysilkstockingsandlowshoes。Well-shaved，andwithhisstomachwarmedbyacupofcoffee，helefthomeateightinthemorningwiththeregularityofclock-work，alwayspassingalongthesamestreetsonhiswaytotheministry:soneatwashe，soformal，sostarchedthathemighthavebeentakenforanEnglishmanontheroadtohisembassy。

Fromthesegeneralsignsyouwillreadilydiscernafamilyman，harassedbyvexationsinhisownhousehold，worriedbyannoyancesattheministry，yetphilosopherenoughtotakelifeashefoundit；anhonestman，lovinghiscountryandservingit，notconcealingfromhimselftheobstaclesinthewayofthosewhoseektodoright；

prudent，becauseheknewmen；exquisitelycourteouswithwomen，ofwhomheaskednothing，——amanfullofacquirements，affablewithhisinferiors，holdinghisequalsatgreatdistance，anddignifiedtowardshissuperiors。Attheepochofwhichwewrite，youwouldhavenoticedinhimthecoldlyresignedairofonewhohasburiedtheillusionsofhisyouthandrenouncedeverysecretambition；youwouldhaverecognizedadiscouraged，butnotdisgustedman，onewhostillclingstohisfirstprojects，——moreperhapstoemployhisfacultiesthaninthehopeofadoubtfulsuccess。Hewasnotdecoratedwithanyorder，andalwaysaccusedhimselfofweaknessforhavingwornthatoftheFleur-de-lisintheearlydaysoftheRestoration。

Thelifeofthismanwasmarkedbycertainmysteriouspeculiarities。

Hehadneverknownhisfather；hismother，awomantowhomluxurywaseverything，alwayselegantlydressed，alwaysonpleasurebent，whosebeautyseemedtohimmiraculousandwhomheveryseldomsaw，lefthimlittleatherdeath；butshehadgivenhimthattoocommonandincompleteeducationwhichproducessomuchambitionandsolittleability。Afewdaysbeforehismother’sdeath，whenhewasjustsixteen，helefttheLyceeNapoleontoenterassupernumeraryagovernmentoffice，whereanunknownprotectorhadprovidedhimwithaplace。Attwenty-twoyearsofageRabourdinbecameunder-head-clerk；

attwenty-five，head-clerk，or，asitwastermed，headofthebureau。

Fromthatdaythehandthatassistedtheyoungmantostartinlifewasneverfeltagaininhiscareer，exceptastoasinglecircumstance；itledhim，poorandfriendless，tothehouseofaMonsieurLeprince，formerlyanauctioneer，awidowersaidtobeextremelyrich，andfatherofanonlydaughter。XavierRabourdinfelldesperatelyinlovewithMademoiselleCelestineLeprince，thenseventeenyearsofage，whohadallthematrimonialclaimsofadowryoftwohundredthousandfrancs。Carefullyeducatedbyanartisticmother，whotransmittedherowntalentstoherdaughter，thisyoungladywasfittedtoattractdistinguishedmen。Tall，handsome，andfinely-formed，shewasagoodmusician，drewandpainted，spokeseverallanguages，andevenknewsomethingofscience，——adangerousadvantage，whichrequiresawomantoavoidcarefullyallappearanceofpedantry。Blindedbymistakentenderness，themothergavethedaughterfalseideasastoherprobablefuture；tothematernaleyesadukeoranambassador，amarshalofFranceoraministerofState，couldalonegiveherCelestineherdueplaceinsociety。Theyoungladyhad，moreover，themanners，language，andhabitsofthegreatworld。Herdresswasricherandmoreelegantthanwassuitableforanunmarriedgirl；ahusbandcouldgivehernothingmorethanshenowhad，excepthappiness。Besidesallsuchindulgences，thefoolishspoilingofthemother，whodiedayearafterthegirl’smarriage，madeahusband’staskallthemoredifficult。Whatcoolnessandcomposureofmindwereneededtorulesuchawoman！Commonplacesuitorsheldbackinfear。

XavierRabourdin，withoutparentsandwithoutfortuneotherthanhissituationundergovernment，wasproposedtoCelestinebyherfather。

Sheresistedforalongtime；notthatshehadanypersonalobjectiontohersuitor，whowasyoung，handsome，andmuchinlove，butsheshrankfromtheplainnameofMadameRabourdin。MonsieurLeprinceassuredhisdaughterthatXavierwasofthestockthatstatesmencameof。CelestineansweredthatamannamedRabourdinwouldneverbeanythingunderthegovernmentoftheBourbons，etc。Forcedbacktohisintrenchments，thefathermadetheseriousmistakeoftellinghisdaughterthatherfuturehusbandwascertainofbecomingRabourdin”desomethingorother”beforehereachedtheageofadmissiontotheChamber。XavierwassoontobeappointedMasterofpetitions，andgeneral-secretaryathisministry。Fromtheselowerstepsoftheladdertheyoungmanwouldcertainlyrisetothehigherranksoftheadministration，possessedofafortuneandanamebequeathedtohiminacertainwillofwhichhe，MonsieurLeprince，wascognizant。Onthisthemarriagetookplace。

Rabourdinandhiswifebelievedinthemysteriousprotectortowhomtheauctioneeralluded。Ledawaybysuchhopesandbythenaturalextravaganceofhappylove，MonsieurandMadameRabourdinspentnearlyonehundredthousandfrancsoftheircapitalinthefirstfiveyearsofmarriedlife。BytheendofthistimeCelestine，alarmedatthenon-advancementofherhusband，insistedoninvestingtheremaininghundredthousandfrancsofherdowryinlandedproperty，whichreturnedonlyaslenderincome；butherfutureinheritancefromherfatherwouldamplyrepayallpresentprivationswithperfectcomfortandeaseoflife。Whentheworthyauctioneersawhisson-in-lawdisappointedofthehopestheyhadplacedonthenamelessprotector，hetried，forthesakeofhisdaughter，torepairthesecretlossbyriskingpartofhisfortuneinaspeculationwhichhadfavourablechancesofsuccess。ButthepoormanbecameinvolvedinoneoftheliquidationsofthehouseofNucingen，anddiedofgrief，leavingnothingbehindhimbutadozenfinepictureswhichadornedhisdaughter’ssalon，andafewold-fashionedpiecesoffurniture，whichsheputinthegarret。

EightyearsoffruitlessexpectationmadeMadameRabourdinatlastunderstandthatthepaternalprotectorofherhusbandmusthavedied，andthathiswill，ifiteverexisted，waslostordestroyed。Twoyearsbeforeherfather’sdeaththeplaceofchiefofdivision，whichbecamevacant，wasgiven，overherhusband’shead，toacertainMonsieurdelaBillardiere，relatedtoadeputyoftheRightwhowasmadeministerin1823。ItwasenoughtodriveRabourdinoutoftheservice；buthowcouldhegiveuphissalaryofeightthousandfrancsandperquisites，whentheyconstitutedthreefourthsofhisincomeandhishouseholdwasaccustomedtospendthem？Besides，ifhehadpatienceforafewmoreyearshewouldthenbeentitledtoapension。

Whatafallwasthisforawomanwhosehighexpectationsattheopeningofherlifeweremoreorlesswarranted，andonewhowasadmittedonallsidestobeasuperiorwoman。

MadameRabourdinhadjustifiedtheexpectationsformedofMademoiselleLeprince；shepossessedtheelementsofthatapparentsuperioritywhichpleasestheworld；herliberaleducationenabledhertospeaktoeveryoneinhisorherownlanguage；hertalentswerereal；sheshowedanindependentandelevatedmind；herconversationcharmedasmuchbyitsvarietyandeaseasbytheoddnessandoriginalityofherideas。Suchqualities，usefulandappropriateinasovereignoranambassadress，wereoflittleservicetoahouseholdcompelledtojoginthecommonround。Thosewhohavethegiftofspeakingwelldesireanaudience；theyliketotalk，eveniftheysometimeswearyothers。

TosatisfytherequirementsofhermindMadameRabourdintookaweeklyreception-dayandwentagreatdealintosocietytoobtaintheconsiderationherself-lovewasaccustomedtoenjoy。ThosewhoknowParisianlifewillreadilyunderstandhowawomanofhertemperamentsuffered，andwasmartyrizedatheartbythescantinessofherpecuniarymeans。Nomatterwhatfoolishdeclarationspeoplemakeaboutmoney，theyoneandall，iftheyliveinParis，mustgrovelbeforeaccounts，dohomagetofigures，andkisstheforkedhoofofthegoldencalf。Whataproblemwashers！twelvethousandfrancsayeartodefraythecostsofahouseholdconsistingoffather，mother，twochildren，achambermaidandcook，livingonthesecondfloorofahouseintherueDuphot，inanapartmentcostingtwothousandfrancsayear。DeductthedressandthecarriageofMadamebeforeyouestimatethegrossexpensesofthefamily，fordressprecedeseverything；thenseewhatremainsfortheeducationofthechildren(agirlofeightandaboyofnine，whosemaintenancemustcostatleasttwothousandfrancsbesides)andyouwillfindthatMadameRabourdincouldbarelyaffordtogiveherhusbandthirtyfrancsamonth。ThatisthepositionofhalfthehusbandsinParis，underpenaltyofbeingthoughtmonsters。

Thusitwasthatthiswomanwhobelievedherselfdestinedtoshineintheworldwascondemnedtousehermindandherfacultiesinasordidstruggle，fightinghandtohandwithanaccount-book。Already，terriblesacrificeofpride！shehaddismissedherman-servant，notlongafterthedeathofherfather。Mostwomengrowwearyofthisdailystruggle；theycomplainbuttheyusuallyendbygivinguptofateandtakingwhatcomestothem；Celestine’sambition，farfromlessening，onlyincreasedthroughdifficulties，andledher，whenshefoundshecouldnotconquerthem，tosweepthemaside。TohermindthiscomplicatedtangleoftheaffairsoflifewasaGordianknotimpossibletountieandwhichgeniusoughttocut。Farfromacceptingthepettinessofmiddle-classexistence，shewasangryatthedelaywhichkeptthegreatthingsoflifefromhergrasp，——blamingfateasdeceptive。Celestinesincerelybelievedherselfasuperiorwoman。

Perhapsshewasright；perhapsshewouldhavebeengreatundergreatcircumstances；perhapsshewasnotinherrightplace。Letusrememberthereareasmanyvarietiesofwomanasthereareofman，allofwhichsocietyfashionstomeetitsneeds。Nowinthesocialorder，asinNature’sorder，therearemoreyoungshootsthantherearetrees，morespawnthanfull-grownfish，andmanygreatcapacities(AthanaseGranson，forinstance)whichdiewitheredforwantofmoisture，likeseedsonstonyground。Thereare，unquestionably，householdwomen，accomplishedwomen，ornamentalwomen，womenwhoareexclusivelywives，ormothers，orsweethearts，womenpurelyspiritualorpurelymaterial；

justastherearesoldiers，artists，artisans，mathematicians，poets，merchants，menwhounderstandmoney，oragriculture，orgovernment，andnothingelse。Besidesallthis，theeccentricityofeventsleadstoendlesscross-purposes；manyarecalledandfewarechosenisthelawofearthasofheaven。MadameRabourdinconceivedherselffullycapableofdirectingastatesman，inspiringanartist，helpinganinventorandpushinghisinterests，orofdevotingherpowerstothefinancialpoliticsofaNucingen，andplayingabrilliantpartinthegreatworld。Perhapsshewasonlyendeavouringtoexcusetoherownmindahatredforthelaundrylistsandthedutyofoverlookingthehousekeepingbills，togetherwiththepettyeconomiesandcaresofasmallestablishment。Shewassuperioronlyinthosethingswhereitgaveherpleasuretobeso。FeelingaskeenlyasshedidthethornsofapositionwhichcanonlybelikenedtothatofSaint-Laurenceonhisgrid-iron，isitanywonderthatshesometimescriedout？So，inherparoxysmsofthwartedambition，inthemomentswhenherwoundedvanitygaveherterribleshootingpains，CelestineturneduponXavierRabourdin。Wasitnotherhusband’sdutytogiveherasuitablepositionintheworld？Ifshewereamanshewouldhavehadtheenergytomakearapidfortuneforthesakeofrenderinganadoredwifehappy！Shereproachedhimforbeingtoohonestaman。Inthemouthofsomewomenthisaccusationisachargeofimbecility。Shesketchedoutforhimcertainbrilliantplansinwhichshetooknoaccountofthehindrancesimposedbymenandthings；then，likeallwomenundertheinfluenceofvehementfeeling，shebecameinthoughtasMachiavellianasGondreville，andmoreunprincipledthanMaximedeTrailles。AtsuchtimesCelestine’smindtookawiderange，andsheimaginedherselfatthesummitofherideas。

WhenthesefinevisionsfirstbeganRabourdin，whosawthepracticalside，wascool。Celestine，muchgrieved，thoughtherhusbandnarrow-

minded，timid，unsympathetic；andsheacquired，insensibly，awhollyfalseopinionofthecompanionofherlife。Inthefirstplace，sheoftenextinguishedhimbythebrilliancyofherarguments。Herideascametoherinflashes，andshesometimesstoppedhimshortwhenhebegananexplanation，becauseshedidnotchoosetolosetheslightestsparkleofherownmind。FromtheearliestdaysoftheirmarriageCelestine，feelingherselfbelovedandadmiredbyherhusband，treatedhimwithoutceremony；sheputherselfaboveconjugallawsandtherulesofprivatecourtesybyexpectinglovetopardonallherlittlewrong-doings；and，assheneverinanywaycorrectedherself，shewasalwaysintheascendant。Insuchasituationthemanholdstothewifeverymuchthepositionofachildtoateacherwhenthelattercannotorwillnotrecognizethatthemindhehasruledinchildhoodisbecomingmature。LikeMadamedeStael，whoexclaimedinaroomfullofpeople，addressing，aswemaysay，agreatermanthanherself，”Doyouknowyouhavereallysaidsomethingveryprofound！”MadameRabourdinsaidofherhusband:”Hecertainlyhasagooddealofsenseattimes。”

Herdisparagingopinionofhimgraduallyappearedinherbehaviorthroughalmostimperceptiblemotions。Herattitudeandmannersexpressedawantofrespect。Withoutbeingawareofitsheinjuredherhusbandintheeyesofothers；forinallcountriessociety，beforemakingupitsmindaboutaman，listensforwhathiswifethinksofhim，andobtainsfromherwhattheGeneveseterm”pre-advice。”

WhenRabourdinbecameawareofthemistakeswhichlovehadledhimtocommititwastoolate，——thegroovehadbeencut；hesufferedandwassilent。Likeothermeninwhomsentimentsandideasareofequalstrength，whosesoulsarenobleandtheirbrainswellbalanced，hewasthedefenderofhiswifebeforethetribunalofhisownjudgment；hetoldhimselfthatnaturedoomedhertoadisappointedlifethroughhisfault；HIS；shewaslikeathoroughbredEnglishhorse，aracerharnessedtoacartfullofstones；sheitwaswhosuffered；andheblamedhimself。Hiswife，bydintofconstantrepetition，hadinoculatedhimwithherownbeliefinherself。Ideasarecontagiousinahousehold；theninththermidor，likesomanyotherportentousevents，wastheresultoffemaleinfluence。Thus，goadedbyCelestine’sambition，Rabourdinhadlongconsideredthemeansofsatisfyingit，thoughhehidhishopes，soastospareherthetorturesofuncertainty。Themanwasfirmlyresolvedtomakehiswayintheadministrationbybringingastronglighttobearuponit。Heintendedtobringaboutoneofthoserevolutionswhichsendamantotheheadofeitheronepartyoranotherinsociety；butbeingincapableofsodoinginhisowninterests，hemerelyponderedusefulthoughtsanddreamedoftriumphswonforhiscountrybynoblemeans。

Hisideaswerebothgenerousandambitious；fewofficialshavenotconceivedthelike；butamongofficialsasamongartiststherearemoremiscarriagesthanbirths；whichistantamounttoBuffon’ssayingthat”Geniusispatience。”

PlacedinapositionwherehecouldstudyFrenchadministrationandobserveitsmechanism，Rabourdinworkedinthecirclewherehisthoughtrevolved，which，wemayremarkparenthetically，isthesecretofmuchhumanaccomplishment；andhislaborculminatedfinallyintheinventionofanewsystemfortheCivilServiceofgovernment。Knowingthepeoplewithwhomhehadtodo，hemaintainedthemachineasitthenworked，soitstillworksandwillcontinuetowork；foreverybodyfearstoremodelit，thoughnoone，accordingtoRabourdin，oughttobeunwillingtosimplifyit。Inhisopinion，theproblemtoberesolvedlayinabetteruseofthesameforces。Hisplan，initssimplestform，wastorevisetaxationandloweritinawaythatshouldnotdiminishtherevenuesoftheState，andtoobtain，fromabudgetequaltothebudgetswhichnowexcitesuchrabiddiscussion，resultsthatshouldbetwo-foldgreaterthanthepresentresults。LongpracticalexperiencehadtaughtRabourdinthatperfectionisbroughtaboutinallthingsbychangesinthedirectionofsimplicity。Toeconomizeistosimplify。Tosimplifymeanstosuppressunnecessarymachinery；removalsnaturallyfollow。Hissystem，therefore，dependedontheweedingoutofofficialsandtheestablishmentofaneworderofadministrativeoffices。Nodoubtthehatredwhichallreformersincurtakesitsrisehere。Removalsrequiredbythisperfectingprocess，alwaysill-understood，threatenthewell-beingofthoseonwhomachangeintheirconditionisthusforced。WhatrenderedRabourdinreallygreatwasthathewasabletorestraintheenthusiasmthatpossessesallreformers，andtopatientlyseekoutaslowevolvingmediumforallchangessoastoavoidshocks，leavingtimeandexperiencetoprovetheexcellenceofeachreform。Thegrandeuroftheresultanticipatedmightmakeusdoubtitspossibilityifwelosesightofthisessentialpointinourrapidanalysisofhissystem。Itis，therefore，notunimportanttoshowthroughhisself-communings，howeverincompletetheymightbe，thepointofviewfromwhichhelookedattheadministrativehorizon。Thistale，whichisevolvedfromtheveryheartoftheCivilService，mayalsoservetoshowsomeoftheevilsofourpresentsocialcustoms。

XavierRabourdin，deeplyimpressedbythetrialsandpovertywhichhewitnessedinthelivesofthegovernmentclerks，endeavoredtoascertainthecauseoftheirgrowingdeterioration。Hefounditinthosepettypartialrevolutions，theeddies，asitwere，ofthestormof1789，whichthehistoriansofgreatsocialmovementsneglecttoinquireinto，althoughasamatteroffactitistheywhichhavemadeourmannersandcustomswhattheyarenow。

Formerly，underthemonarchy，thebureaucraticarmiesdidnotexist。

Theclerks，fewinnumber，wereundertheordersofaprimeministerwhocommunicatedwiththesovereign；thustheydirectlyservedtheking。Thesuperiorsofthesezealousservantsweresimplycalledhead-

clerks。Inthosebranchesofadministrationwhichthekingdidnothimselfdirect，suchforinstanceasthe”fermes”(thepublicdomainsthroughoutthecountryonwhicharevenuewaslevied)，theclerksweretotheirsuperiorwhattheclerksofabusiness-housearetotheiremployer；theylearnedasciencewhichwouldonedayadvancethemtoprosperity。Thus，allpointsofthecircumferencewerefastenedtothecentreandderivedtheirlifefromit。Theresultwasdevotionandconfidence。Since1789theState，callittheNationifyoulike，hasreplacedthesovereign。Insteadoflookingdirectlytothechiefmagistrateofthisnation，theclerkshavebecome，inspiteofourfinepatrioticideas，thesubsidiariesofthegovernment；theirsuperiorsareblownaboutbythewindsofapowercalled”theadministration，”anddonotknowfromdaytodaywheretheymaybeonthemorrow。Astheroutineofpublicbusinessmustgoon，acertainnumberofindispensableclerksarekeptintheirplaces，thoughtheyholdtheseplacesonsufferance，anxiousastheyaretoretainthem。

Bureaucracy，agiganticpowersetinmotionbydwarfs，wasgeneratedinthisway。ThoughNapoleon，bysubordinatingallthingsandallmentohiswill，retardedforatimetheinfluenceofbureaucracy(thatponderouscurtainhungbetweentheservicetobedoneandthemanwhoordersit)，itwaspermanentlyorganizedundertheconstitutionalgovernment，whichwas，inevitably，thefriendofallmediocrities，theloverofauthenticdocumentsandaccounts，andasmeddlesomeasanoldtradeswoman。DelightedtoseethevariousministersconstantlystrugglingagainstthefourhundredpettymindsoftheElectedoftheChamber，withtheirtenoradozenambitiousanddishonestleaders，theCivilServiceofficialshastenedtomakethemselvesessentialtothewarfarebyaddingtheirquotaofassistanceundertheformofwrittenaction；theycreatedapowerofinertiaandnamedit”Report。”

LetusexplaintheReport。

WhenthekingsofFrancetooktothemselvesministers，whichfirsthappenedunderLouisXV。，theymadethemrenderreportsonallimportantquestions，insteadofholding，asformerly，grandcouncilsofstatewiththenobles。Undertheconstitutionalgovernment，theministersofthevariousdepartmentswereinsensiblyledbytheirbureaustoimitatethispracticeofkings。TheirtimebeingtakenupindefendingthemselvesbeforethetwoChambersandthecourt，theyletthemselvesbeguidedbytheleading-stringsoftheReport。Nothingimportantwaseverbroughtbeforethegovernmentthataministerdidnotsay，evenwhenthecasewasurgent，”Ihavecalledforareport。”

TheReportthusbecame，bothastothematterconcernedandfortheministerhimself，thesameasareporttotheChamberofDeputiesonaquestionoflaws，——namely，adisquisitioninwhichthereasonsforandagainstarestatedwithmoreorlesspartiality。Norealresultisattained；theminister，liketheChamber，isfullyaswellpreparedbeforeasafterthereportisrendered。Adetermination，inwhatevermatter，isreachedinaninstant。Dowhatwewill，themomentcomeswhenthedecisionmustbemade。Thegreaterthearrayofreasonsforandagainst，thelesssoundwillbethejudgment。ThefinestthingsofwhichFrancecanboasthavebeenaccomplishedwithoutreportsandwheredecisionswerepromptandspontaneous。Thedominantlawofastatesmanistoapplypreciseformulatoallcases，afterthemannerofjudgesandphysicians。

Rabourdin，whosaidtohimself:”Aministershouldhavedecision，shouldknowpublicaffairs，anddirecttheircourse，”saw”Report”

rampantthroughoutFrance，fromthecoloneltothemarshal，fromthecommissaryofpolicetotheking，fromtheprefectstotheministersofstate，fromtheChambertothecourts。After1818everythingwasdiscussed，compared，andweighed，eitherinspeechorwriting；publicbusinesstookaliteraryform。Francewenttoruininspiteofthisarrayofdocuments；dissertationsstoodinplaceofaction；amillionofreportswerewritteneveryyear；bureaucracywasenthroned！

Records，statistics，documents，failingwhichFrancewouldhavebeenruined，circumlocution，withoutwhichtherecouldbenoadvance，increased，multiplied，andgrewmajestic。Fromthatdayforthbureaucracyusedtoitsownprofitthemistrustthatstandsbetweenreceiptsandexpenditures；itdegradedtheadministrationforthebenefitoftheadministrators；inshort，itspunthoselilliputianthreadswhichhavechainedFrancetoParisiancentralization，——asiffrom1500to1800Francehadundertakennothingforwantofthirtythousandgovernmentclerks！Infasteninguponpublicoffices，likeamistletoeonapear-tree，theseofficialsindemnifiedthemselvesamply，andinthefollowingmanner。

Theministers，compelledtoobeytheprincesortheChamberswhoimposeuponthemthedistributionofthepublicmoneys，andforcedtoretaintheworkersinoffice，proceededtodiminishsalariesandincreasethenumberofthoseworkers，thinkingthatifmorepersonswereemployedbygovernmentthestrongerthegovernmentwouldbe。Andyetthecontrarylawisanaxiomwrittenontheuniverse；thereisnovigorexceptwheretherearefewactiveprinciples。EventsprovedinJuly，1830，theerrorofthematerialismoftheRestoration。ToplantagovernmentintheheartsofanationitisnecessarytobindINTERESTStoit，notMEN。Thegovernment-clerksbeingledtodetesttheadministrationswhichlessenedboththeirsalariesandtheirimportance，treatedthemasacourtesantreatsanagedlover，andgavethemmereworkformoney；astateofthingswhichwouldhaveseemedasintolerabletotheadministrationastotheclerks，hadthetwopartiesdaredtofeeleachother’spulse，orhadthehighersalariesnotsucceededinstiflingthevoicesofthelower。Thuswhollyandsolelyoccupiedinretaininghisplace，drawinghispay，andsecuringhispension，thegovernmentofficialthoughteverythingpermissiblethatconducedtotheseresults。Thisstateofthingsledtoservilityonthepartoftheclerksandtoendlessintrigueswithinthevariousdepartments，wherethehumblerclerksstruggledvainlyagainstdegeneratemembersofthearistocracy，whosoughtpositionsinthegovernmentbureausfortheirruinedsons。

Superiormencouldscarcelybringthemselvestotreadthesetortuousways，tostoop，tocringe，andcreepthroughthemireofthesecloacas，wherethepresenceofafinemindonlyalarmedtheotherdenizens。Theambitiousmanofgeniusgrowsoldinobtaininghistriplecrown；hedoesnotfollowinthestepsofSixtustheFifthmerelytobecomeheadofabureau。Noonecomesorstaysinthegovernmentofficesbutidlers，incapables，orfools。ThusthemediocrityofFrenchadministrationhasslowlycomeabout。

Bureaucracy，madeupentirelyofpettyminds，standsasanobstacletotheprosperityofthenation；delaysforsevenyears，byitsmachinery，theprojectofacanalwhichwouldhavestimulatedtheproductionofaprovince；isafraidofeverything，prolongsprocrastination，andperpetuatestheabuseswhichinturnperpetuateandconsolidateitself。Bureaucracyholdsallthingsandtheadministrationitselfinleadingstrings；itstiflesmenoftalentwhoareboldenoughtobeindependentofitortoenlightenitonitsownfollies。Aboutthetimeofwhichwewritethepensionlisthadjustbeenissued，andonitRabourdinsawthenameofanunderlinginofficeratedforalargersumthantheoldcolonels，maimedandwoundedfortheircountry。Inthatfactliesthewholehistoryofbureaucracy。

Anotherevil，broughtaboutbymoderncustoms，whichRabourdincountedamongthecausesofthissecretdemoralization，wasthefactthatthereisnorealsubordinationintheadministrationinParis；

completeequalityreignsbetweentheheadofanimportantdivisionandthehumblestcopying-clerk；oneisaspowerfulastheotherinanarenaoutsideofwhicheachlordsitinhisownway。Education，equallydistributedthroughthemasses，bringsthesonofaporterintoagovernmentofficetodecidethefateofsomemanofmeritorsomelandedproprietorwhosedoor-bellhisfathermayhaveanswered。

Thelastcomeristhereforeonequaltermswiththeoldestveteranintheservice。AwealthysupernumerarysplasheshissuperiorashedriveshistilburytoLongchampsandpointswithhiswhiptothepoorfatherofafamily，remarkingtotheprettywomanathisside，”That’smychief。”TheLiberalscallthisstateofthingsProgress；RabourdinthoughtitAnarchyattheheartofpower。Hesawhowitresultedinrestlessintrigues，likethoseofaharembetweeneunuchsandwomenandimbecilesultans，orthepettytroublesofnunsfullofunderhandvexations，orcollegetyrannies，ordiplomaticmanoeuvringsfittoterrifyanambassador，allputinmotiontoobtainafeeoranincreaseinsalary；itwaslikethehoppingoffleasharnessedtopasteboardcars，thespitefulnessofslaves，oftenvisitedontheministerhimself。Withallthiswerethereallyusefulmen，theworkers，victimsofsuchparasites；mensincerelydevotedtotheircountry，whostoodvigorouslyoutfromthebackgroundoftheotherincapables，yetwhowereoftenforcedtosuccumbthroughunworthytrickery。

Allthehigherofficesweregainedthroughparliamentaryinfluence，royaltyhadnothingtodonowwiththem，andthesubordinateclerksbecame，afteratime，merelytherunning-gearofthemachine；themostimportantconsiderationswiththembeingtokeepthewheelswellgreased。Thisfatalconvictionenteringsomeofthebestmindssmotheredmanystatementsconscientiouslywrittenonthesecretevilsofthenationalgovernment；loweredthecourageofmanyhearts，andcorruptedsterlinghonesty，wearyofinjusticeandwontoindifferencebydeterioratingannoyances。AclerkintheemployoftheRothchildscorrespondswithallEngland；another，inagovernmentoffice，maycommunicatewithalltheprefects；butwheretheonelearnsthewaytomakehisfortune，theotherlosestimeandhealthandlifetonoavail。Anunderminingevillieshere。Certainlyanationdoesnotseemthreatenedwithimmediatedissolutionbecauseanableclerkissentawayandamiddlingsortofmanreplaceshim。Unfortunatelyforthewelfareofnationsindividualmenneverseemessentialtotheirexistence。Butinthelongrunwhenthebelittlingprocessisfullycarriedoutnationswilldisappear。EveryonewhoseeksinstructiononthispointcanlookatVenice，Madrid，Amsterdam，Stockholm，Rome；allplaceswhichwereformerlyresplendentwithmightypowersandarenowdestroyedbytheinfiltratinglittlenesswhichgraduallyattainedthehighesteminence。Whenthedayofstrugglecame，allwasfoundrotten，theStatesuccumbedtoaweakattack。Toworshipthefoolwhosucceeds，andnottogrieveoverthefallofanablemanistheresultofourmelancholyeducation，ofourmannersandcustomswhichdrivemenofintellectintodisgust，andgeniustodespair。

WhatadifficultundertakingistherehabilitationoftheCivilServicewhiletheliberalcriesaloudinhisnewspapersthatthesalariesofclerksareastandingtheft，callstheitemsofthebudgetaclusterofleeches，andeveryyeardemandswhythenationshouldbesaddledwithathousandmillionsoftaxes。InMonsieurRabourdin’seyestheclerkinrelationtothebudgetwasverymuchwhatthegambleristothegame；thatwhichhewinsheputsbackagain。Allremunerationimpliessomethingfurnished。Topayamanathousandfrancsayearanddemandhiswholetimewassurelytoorganizetheftandpoverty。Agalley-slavecostsnearlyasmuch，anddoesless。ButtoexpectamanwhomtheStateremuneratedwithtwelvethousandfrancsayeartodevotehimselftohiscountrywasaprofitablecontractforbothsides，fittoallureallcapacities。

ThesereflectionshadledRabourdintodesiretherecastingoftheclericalofficialstaff。Toemployfewerman，todoubleortreblesalaries，anddoawaywithpensions，tochooseonlyyoungclerks(asdidNapoleon，LouisXIV。，Richelieu，andXimenes)，buttokeepthemlongandtrainthemforthehigherofficesandgreatesthonors，thesewerethechieffeaturesofareformwhichifcarriedoutwouldbeasbeneficialtotheStateastotheclerksthemselves。Itisdifficulttorecountindetail，chapterbychapter，aplanwhichembracedthewholebudgetandcontinueddownthroughtheminutestdetailsofadministrationinordertokeepthewholesynthetical；butperhapsaslightsketchoftheprincipalreformswillsufficeforthosewhounderstandsuchmatters，aswellasforthosewhoarewhollyignorantoftheadministrativesystem。Thoughthehistorian’spositionisratherhazardousinreproducingaplanwhichmaybethoughtthepoliticsofachimney-corner，itis，nevertheless，necessarytosketchitsoastoexplaintheauthorofitbyhisownwork。Weretherecitalofhiseffortstobeomitted，thereaderwouldnotbelievethenarrator’swordifhemerelydeclaredthetalentandthecourageofthisofficial。

Rabourdin’splandividedthegovernmentintothreeministries，ordepartments。HethoughtthatiftheFranceofformerdayspossessedbrainsstrongenoughtocomprehendinonesystembothforeignanddomesticaffairs，theFranceofto-daywasnotlikelytobewithoutitsMazarin，itsSuger，itsSully，itsdeChoiseul，oritsColberttodirectevenvastadministrativedepartments。Besides，constitutionallyspeaking，threeministrieswillagreebetterthanseven；and，intherestrictednumberthereislesschanceformistakenchoice；moreover，itmightbethatthekingdomwouldsomedayescapefromthoseperpetualministerialoscillationswhichinterferedwithallplansofforeignpolicyandpreventedallameliorationsofhomerule。InAustria，wheremanydiverseunitednationspresentsomanyconflictingintereststobeconciliatedandcarriedforwardunderonecrown，twostatesmenalonebeartheburdenofpublicaffairsandarenotoverwhelmedbyit。WasFrancelessprolificofpoliticalcapacitiesthanGermany？Therathersillygameofwhatarecalled”constitutionalinstitutions”carriedbeyondboundshasended，aseverybodyknows，inrequiringagreatmanyofficestosatisfythemultifariousambitionofthemiddleclasses。ItseemedtoRabourdin，inthefirstplace，naturaltounitetheministryofwarwiththeministryofthenavy。Tohisthinkingthenavywasoneofthecurrentexpensesofthewardepartment，liketheartillery，cavalry，infantry，andcommissariat。

Surelyitwasanabsurditytogiveseparateadministrationstoadmiralsandmarshalswhenbothwereemployedtooneend，namely，thedefenseofthenation，theoverthrowofanenemy，andthesecurityofthenationalpossessions。Theministryoftheinterioroughtinlikemannertocombinethedepartmentsofcommerce，police，andfinances，oritbelieditsownname。Totheministryofforeignaffairsbelongedtheadministrationofjustice，thehouseholdoftheking，andallthatconcernedarts，sciences，andbelleslettres。Allpatronageoughttoflowdirectlyfromthesovereign。Suchministriesnecessitatedthesupremacyofacouncil。Eachrequiredtheworkoftwohundredofficials，andnomore，initscentraladministrationoffices，whereRabourdinproposedthattheyshouldlive，asinformerdaysunderthemonarchy。Takingthesumoftwelvethousandfrancsayearforeachofficialasanaverage，heestimatedsevenmillionsasthecostofthewholebodyofsuchofficials，whichactuallystoodattwentyinthebudget。

Bythusreducingtheministerstothreeheadshesuppresseddepartmentswhichhadcometobeuseless，togetherwiththeenormouscostsoftheirmaintenanceinParis。Heprovedthatanarrondissementcouldbemanagedbytenmen；aprefecturebyadozenatthemost；

whichreducedtheentirecivilserviceforcethroughoutFrancetofivethousandmen，exclusiveofthedepartmentsofwarandjustice。Underthisplantheclerksofthecourtwerechargedwiththesystemofloans，andtheministryoftheinteriorwiththatofregistrationandthemanagementofdomains。ThusRabourdinunitedinonecentrealldivisionsthatwerealliedinnature。Themortgagesystem，inheritance，andregistrationdidnotpassoutsideoftheirownsphereofactionandonlyrequiredthreeadditionalclerksinthejusticecourtsandthreeintheroyalcourts。ThesteadyapplicationofthisprinciplebroughtRabourdintoreformsinthefinancesystem。Hemergedthecollectionofrevenueintoonechannel，taxingconsumptioninbulkinsteadoftaxingproperty。Accordingtohisideas，consumptionwasthesolethingproperlytaxableintimesofpeace。

Land-taxesshouldalwaysbeheldinreserveincaseofwar；forthenonlycouldtheStatejustlydemandsacrificesfromthesoil，whichwasindanger；butintimesofpeaceitwasaseriouspoliticalfaulttoburdenitbeyondacertainlimit；otherwiseitcouldneverbedependedoningreatemergencies。Thusaloanshouldbeputonthemarketwhenthecountrywastranquil，foratsuchtimesitcouldbeplacedatpar，insteadofatfiftypercentlossasinbadtimes；inwartimesresortshouldbehadtoaland-tax。”Theinvasionof1814and1815，”Rabourdinwouldsaytohisfriends，”foundedinFranceandpracticallyexplainedaninstitutionwhichneitherLawnorNapoleonhadbeenabletoestablish，——ImeanCredit。”

Unfortunately，Xavierconsideredthetrueprinciplesofthisadmirablemachineofcivilserviceverylittleunderstoodattheperiodwhenhebeganhislaborofreformin1820。Hisschemeleviedatollontheconsumptionbymeansofdirecttaxationandsuppressedthewholemachineryofindirecttaxation。Thelevyingofthetaxeswassimplifiedbyasingleclassificationofagreatnumberofarticles。

Thisdidawaywiththemoreharassingcustomsatthegatesofthecities，andobtainedthelargestrevenuesfromtheremainder，bylesseningtheenormousexpenseofcollectingthem。Tolightentheburdenoftaxationisnot，inmattersoffinance，todiminishthetaxes，buttoassessthembetter；iflightened，youincreasethevolumeofbusinessbygivingitfreerplay；theindividualpayslessandtheStatereceivesmore。Thisreform，whichmayseemimmense，restsonverysimplemachinery。Rabourdinregardedthetaxonpersonalpropertyasthemosttrustworthyrepresentativeofgeneralconsumption。IndividualfortunesareusuallyrevealedinFrancebyrentals，bythenumberofservants，horses，carriages，andluxuries，thecostsofwhicharealltotheinterestofthepublictreasury。

Housesandwhattheycontainvarycomparativelybutlittle，andarenotliabletodisappear。Afterpointingoutthemeansofmakingatax-

listonpersonalpropertywhichshouldbemoreimpartialthantheexistinglist，Rabourdinassessedthesumstobebroughtintothetreasurybyindirecttaxationassomuchpercentoneachindividualshare。Ataxisalevyofmoneyonthingsorpersonsunderdisguisesthataremoreorlessspecious。Thesedisguises，excellentwhentheobjectistoextortmoney，becomeridiculousinthepresentday，whentheclassonwhichthetaxesweightheheaviestknowswhytheStateimposesthemandbywhatmachinerytheyaregivenback。Infactthebudgetisnotastrong-boxtoholdwhatisputintoit，butawatering-pot；themoreittakesinandthemoreitpoursoutthebetterfortheprosperityofthecountry。Therefore，supposingtherearesixmillionsoftax-payersineasycircumstances(Rabourdinprovedtheirexistence，includingtherich)isitnotbettertomakethempayadutyontheconsumptionofwine，whichwouldnotbemoreoffensivethanthatondoorsandwindowsandwouldreturnahundredmillions，ratherthanharassthembytaxingthethingitself。Bythissystemoftaxation，eachindividualtax-payerpayslessinreality，whiletheStatereceivesmore，andconsumersprofitbyavastreductioninthepriceofthingswhichtheStatereleasesfromitsperpetualandharassinginterference。Rabourdin’sschemeretainedataxonthecultivationofvineyards，soastoprotectthatindustryfromthetoogreatabundanceofitsownproducts。Then，toreachtheconsumptionofthepoorertax-payers，thelicencesofretaildealersweretaxedaccordingtothepopulationoftheneighborhoodsinwhichtheylived。

Inthisway，theStatewouldreceivewithoutcostorvexatioushindrancesanenormousrevenueunderthreeforms；namely，adutyonwine，onthecultivationofvineyards，andonlicenses，wherenowanirritatingarrayoftaxesexistedasaburdenonitselfanditsofficials。Taxationwasthusimposedupontherichwithoutoverburdeningthepoor。Togiveanotherexample。Supposeashareassessedtoeachpersonofoneortwofrancsfortheconsumptionofsaltandyouobtaintenoradozenmillions；themodern”gabelle”

disappears，thepoorbreathefreer，agricultureisrelieved，theStatereceivesasmuch，andnotax-payercomplains。Allpersons，whethertheybelongtotheindustrialclassesortothecapitalists，willseeatoncethebenefitsofataxsoassessedwhentheydiscoverhowcommerceincreases，andlifeisamelioratedinthecountrydistricts。

Inshort，theStatewillseefromyeartoyearthenumberofherwell-

to-dotax-payersincreasing。Bydoingawaywiththemachineryofindirecttaxation，whichisverycostly(aState，asitwere，withinaState)，boththepublicfinancesandtheindividualtax-payeraregreatlybenefited，nottospeakofthesavingincostsofcollecting。

Thewholesubjectisindeedlessaquestionoffinancethanaquestionofgovernment。TheStateshouldpossessnothingofitsown，neitherforests，normines，norpublicworks。Thatitshouldbetheownerofdomainswas，inRabourdin’sopinion，anadministrativecontradiction。

TheStatecannotturnitspossessionstoprofitanditdeprivesitselfoftaxes；itthuslosestwoformsofproduction。Astothemanufactoriesofthegovernment，theyarejustasunreasonableinthesphereofindustry。TheStateobtainsproductsatahighercostthanthoseofcommerce，producesthemmoreslowly，andlosesitstaxupontheindustry，themaintenanceofwhichit，inturn，reduces。Canitbethoughtapropermethodofgoverningacountrytomanufactureinsteadofpromotingmanufactures？topossesspropertyinsteadofcreatingmorepossessionsandmorediverseones？InRabourdin’ssystemtheStateexactednomoneysecurity；heallowedonlymortgagesecurities；

andforthisreason:EithertheStateholdsthesecurityinspecie，andthatembarrassesbusinessandthemovementofmoney；oritinvestsitatahigherratethantheStateitselfpays，andthatisacontemptiblerobbery；orelseitlosesonthetransaction，andthatisfolly；moreover，ifitisobligedatanytimetodisposeofamassofthesesecuritiesitgivesrisesincertaincasestoterriblebankruptcy。

TheterritorialtaxdidnotentirelydisappearinRabourdin’splan，——

hekeptaminuteportionofitasapointofdepartureincaseofwar；

buttheproductionsofthesoilwerefreed，andindustry，findingrawmaterialatalowprice，couldcompetewithforeignnationswithoutthedeceptivehelpofcustoms。Therichcarriedontheadministrationoftheprovinceswithoutcompensationexceptthatofreceivingapeerageundercertainconditions。Magistrates，learnedbodies，officersofthelowergradesfoundtheirserviceshonorablyrewarded；

nomanemployedbythegovernmentfailedtoobtaingreatconsiderationthroughthevalueandextentofhislaborsandtheexcellenceofhissalary；everyonewasabletoprovideforhisownfutureandFrancewasdeliveredfromthecancerofpensions。AsaresultRabourdin’sschemeexhibitedonlysevenhundredmillionsofexpendituresandtwelvehundredmillionsofreceipts。Asavingoffivehundredmillionsannuallyhadfarmorevirtuethantheaccumulationofasinkingfundwhosedangerswereplainlytobeseen。InthatfundtheState，accordingtoRabourdin，becameastockholder，justasitpersistedinbeingaland-holderandamanufacturer。TobringaboutthesereformswithouttooroughlyjarringtheexistingstateofthingsorincurringaSaint-Bartholomewofclerks，Rabourdinconsideredthatanevolutionoftwentyyearswouldberequired。

SuchwerethethoughtsmaturinginRabourdin’smindeversincehispromisedplacehadbeengiventoMonsieurdelaBillardiere，amanofsheerincapacity。Thisplan，sovastapparentlyyetsosimpleinpointoffact，whichdidawaywithsomanylargestaffsandsomanylittleofficesallequallyuseless，requiredforitspresentationtothepublicmindclosecalculations，precisestatistics，andself-evidentproof。Rabourdinhadlongstudiedthebudgetunderitsdouble-aspectofwaysandmeansandofexpenditure。Manyanighthehadlainawakeunknowntohiswife。Butsofarhehadonlydaredtoconceivetheplanandfititprospectivelytotheadministrativeskeleton；allofwhichcountedfornothing，——hemustgaintheearofaministercapableofappreciatinghisideas。Rabourdin’ssuccessdependedonthetranquilconditionofpoliticalaffairs，whichuptothistimewerestillunsettled。Hehadnotconsideredthegovernmentaspermanentlysecureuntilthreehundreddeputiesatleasthadthecouragetoformacompactmajoritysystematicallyministerial。AnadministrationfoundedonthatbasishadcomeintopowersinceRabourdinhadfinishedhiselaborateplan。AtthistimetheluxuryofpeaceundertheBourbonshadeclipsedthewarlikeluxuryofthedayswhenFranceshonelikeavastencampment，prodigalandmagnificentbecauseitwasvictorious。

AftertheSpanishcampaign，theadministrationseemedtoenteruponaneraoftranquillityinwhichsomegoodmightbeaccomplished；andthreemonthsbeforetheopeningofourstoryanewreignhadbegunwithoutanyapparentopposition；fortheliberalismoftheLefthadwelcomedCharlesX。withasmuchenthusiasmastheRight。Evenclear-

sightedandsuspiciouspersonsweremisled。ThemomentseemedpropitiousforRabourdin。Whatcouldbetterconducetothestabilityofthegovernmentthantoproposeandcarrythroughareformwhosebeneficialresultsweretobesovast？

NeverhadRabourdinseemedsoanxiousandpreoccupiedashenowdidinthemorningsashewalkedfromhishousetotheministry，orathalf-

pastfourintheafternoon，whenhereturned。MadameRabourdin，onherpart，disconsolateoverherwastedlife，wearyofsecretlyworkingtoobtainafewluxuriesofdress，neverappearedsobitterlydiscontentedasnow；but，likeanywifewhoisreallyattachedtoherhusband，sheconsidereditunworthyofasuperiorwomantocondescendtotheshamefuldevicesbywhichthewivesofsomeofficialsekeouttheinsufficiencyoftheirhusband’ssalary。ThisfeelingmadeherrefuseallintercoursewithMadameColleville，thenveryintimatewithFrancoisKeller，whosepartieseclipsedthoseoftherueDuphot。

Nevertheless，shemistookthequietudeofthepoliticalthinkerandthepreoccupationoftheintrepidworkerfortheapathetictorporofanofficialbrokendownbythedulnessofroutine，vanquishedbythatmosthatefulofallmiseries，themediocritythatsimplyearnsaliving；andshegroanedatbeingmarriedtoamanwithoutenergy。

Thusitwasthataboutthisperiodintheirlivessheresolvedtotakethemakingofherhusband’sfortuneonherself；tothrusthimatanycostintoahighersphere，andtohidefromhimthesecretspringsofhermachinations。Shecarriedintoallherplanstheindependenceofideaswhichcharacterizedher，andwasproudtothinkthatshecouldriseaboveotherwomenbysharingnoneoftheirpettyprejudicesandbykeepingherselfuntrammelledbytherestraintswhichsocietyimposes。Inherangersheresolvedtofightfoolswiththeirownweapons，andtomakeherselfafoolifneedbe。Shesawthingscomingtoacrisis。Thetimewasfavorable。MonsieurdelaBillardiere，attackedbyadangerousillness，waslikelytodieinafewdays。IfRabourdinsucceededhim，histalents(forCelestinedidvouchsafehimanadministrativegift)wouldbesothoroughlyappreciatedthattheofficeofMasterofpetitions，formerlypromised，wouldnowbegiventohim；shefanciedshesawhimtheking’scommissioner，presentingbillstotheChambersanddefendingthem；thenindeedshecouldhelphim；shewouldevenbe，ifneedful，hissecretary；shewouldsitupallnighttodothework！AllthistodriveintheBoisinaprettycarriage，toequalMadameDelphinedeNucingen，toraisehersalontothelevelofMadameColleville’s，tobeinvitedtothegreatministerialsolemnities，towinlistenersandmakethemtalkofheras”MadameRabourdinDEsomethingorother”(shehadnotyetdeterminedontheestate)，justastheydidofMadameFirmiani，Madamed’Espard，Madamed’Aiglemont，MadamedeCarigliano，andthuseffaceforevertheodiousnameofRabourdin。

Thesesecretschemesbroughtsomechangesintothehousehold。MadameRabourdinbegantowalkwithafirmstepinthepathofDEBT。Shesetupamanservant，andputhiminliveryofbrownclothwithredpipins，sherenewedpartsofherfurniture，hungnewpapersonthewalls，adornedhersalonwithplantsandflowers，alwaysfresh，andcrowdeditwithknick-knacksthatweretheninvogue；thenshe，whohadalwaysshownscruplesastoherpersonalexpenses，didnothesitatetoputherdressinkeepingwiththeranktowhichsheaspired，theprofitsofwhichwerediscountedinseveraloftheshopswheresheequippedherselfforwar。Tomakeher”Wednesdays”fashionableshegaveadinneronFridays，theguestsbeingexpectedtopaytheirreturnvisitandtakeacupofteaonthefollowingWednesday。Shechoseherguestscleverlyamonginfluentialdeputiesorotherpersonsofnotewho，soonerorlater，mightadvanceherinterests。Inshort，shegatheredanagreeableandbefittingcircleabouther。Peopleamusedthemselvesatherhouse；theysaidsoatleast，whichisquiteenoughtoattractsocietyinParis。Rabourdinwassoabsorbedincompletinghisgreatandseriousworkthathetooknonoticeofthesuddenreappearanceofluxuryinthebosomofhisfamily。

Thusthewifeandthehusbandwerebesiegingthesamefortress，workingonparallellines，butwithouteachother’sknowledge。

CHAPTERII

MONSIEURDESLUPEAULX

AttheministrytowhichRabourdinbelongedthereflourished，asgeneral-secretary，acertainMonsieurClementChardindesLupeaulx，oneofthosemenwhomthetideofpoliticaleventssendstothesurfaceforafewyears，thenengulfsonastormynight，butwhomwefindagainonadistantshore，tosseduplikethecarcassofawreckedshipwhichstillseemstohavelifeinher。Weaskourselvesifthatderelictcouldeverhaveheldgoodlymerchandiseorservedahighemprize，co-operatedinsomedefence，heldupthetrappingsofathrone，orborneawaythecorpseofamonarchy。AtthisparticulartimeClementdesLupeaulx(the”Lupeaulx”absorbedthe”Chardin”)hadreachedhisculminatingperiod。Inthemostillustriouslivesasinthemostobscure，inanimalsasinsecretary-generals，thereisazenithandthereisanadir，aperiodwhenthefurismagnificent，thefortunedazzling。Inthenomenclaturewhichwederivefromfabulists，desLupeaulxbelongedtothespeciesBertrand，andwasalwaysinsearchofRatons。Asheisoneoftheprincipalactorsinthisdramahedeservesadescription，allthemoreprecisebecausetherevolutionofJulyhassuppressedhisoffice，eminentlyusefulasitwas，toaconstitutionalministry。

Moralistsusuallyemploytheirweaponsagainstobstructiveadministrations。Intheireyes，crimebelongstotheassizesorthepolice-courts；butthesociallyrefinedevilsescapetheirken；theadroitnessthattriumphsundershieldoftheCodeisabovethemorbeneaththem；theyhaveneithereye-glassnortelescope；theywantgoodstouthorrorseasilyvisible。Withtheireyesfixedonthecarnivora，theypaynoattentiontothereptiles；happily，theyabandontothewritersofcomedytheshadingandcoloringsofaChardindesLupeaulx。Vainandegotistical，suppleandproud，libertineandgourmand，graspingfromthepressureofdebt，discreetasatomboutofwhichnoughtissuestocontradicttheepitaphintendedforthepasser’seye，boldandfearlesswhensoliciting，good-naturedandwittyinallacceptationsoftheword，atimelyjester，fulloftact，knowinghowtocompromiseothersbyaglanceoranudge，shrinkingfromnomudhole，butgracefullyleapingit，intrepidVoltairean，yetpunctualatmassifafashionablecompanycouldbemetinSaintThomasAquinas，——suchamanasthissecretary-

generalresembled，inonewayoranother，allthemediocritieswhoformthekernelofthepoliticalworld。Knowinginthescienceofhumannature，heassumedthecharacterofalistener，andnonewasevermoreattentive。Nottoawakensuspicionhewasflatteringadnauseum，insinuatingasaperfume，andcajolingasawoman。

DesLupeaulxwasjustfortyyearsold。Hisyouthhadlongbeenavexationtohim，forhefeltthatthemakingofhiscareerdependedonhisbecomingadeputy。Howhadhereachedhispresentposition？maybeasked。Byverysimplemeans。Hebeganbytakingchargeofcertaindelicatemissionswhichcanbegivenneithertoamanwhorespectshimselfnortoamanwhodoesnotrespecthimself，butareconfidedtograveandenigmaticindividualswhocanbeacknowledgedordisavowedatwill。Hisbusinesswasthatofbeingalwayscompromised；buthisfortuneswerepushedasmuchbydefeatasbysuccess。HewellunderstoodthatundertheRestoration，aperiodofcontinualcompromisesbetweenmen，betweenthings，betweenaccomplishedfactsandotherfactslookingonthehorizon，itwasall-importantfortherulingpowerstohaveahouseholddrudge。Observeinafamilysomeoldcharwomanwhocanmakebeds，sweepthefloors，carryawaythedirtylinen，whoknowswherethesilveriskept，howthecreditorsshouldbepacified，whatpersonsshouldbeletinandwhomustbekeptoutofthehouse，andsuchacreature，evenifshehasallthevices，andisdirty，decrepit，andtoothless，orputsintothelotteryandstealsthirtysousadayforherstake，andyouwillfindthemasterslikeherfromhabit，talkandconsultinherhearinguponevencriticalmatters；shecomesandgoes，suggestsresources，getsonthescentofsecrets，bringstherougeortheshawlattherightmoment，letsherselfbescoldedandpusheddownstairs，andthenextmorningreappearssmilingwithanexcellentbouillon。Nomatterhowhighastatesmanmaystand，heiscertaintohavesomehouseholddrudge，beforewhomheisweak，undecided，disputationswithfate，self-

questioning，self-answering，andbucklingforthefight。Suchafamiliarislikethesoftwoodofsavages，which，whenrubbedagainstthehardwood，strikesfire。Sometimesgreatgeniusesilluminethemselvesinthisway。NapoleonlivedwithBerthier，RichelieuwithPereJoseph；desLupeaulxwasthefamiliarofeverybody。Hecontinuedfriendswithfallenministersandmadehimselftheirintermediarywiththeirsuccessors，diffusingthustheperfumeofthelastflatteryandthefirstcompliment。Hewellunderstoodhowtoarrangeallthelittlematterswhichastatesmanhasnoleisuretoattendto。Hesawnecessitiesastheyarose；heobeyedwell；hecouldglossabaseactwithajestandgetthewholevalueofit；andhechosefortheserviceshethusrenderedthosethattherecipientswerenotlikelytoforget。

Thus，whenitwasnecessarytocrosstheditchbetweentheEmpireandtheRestoration，atatimewheneveryonewaslookingaboutforplanks，andthecursoftheEmpirewerehowlingtheirdevotionrightandleft，desLupeaulxborrowedlargesumsfromtheusurersandcrossedthefrontier。Riskingalltowinall，heboughtupLouisXVIII。’smostpressingdebts，andwasthefirsttosettlenearlythreemillionofthemattwentypercent——forhewasluckyenoughtobebackedbyGobseckin1814and1815。ItistruethatMessrs。Gobseck，Werdet，andGigonnetswallowedtheprofits，butdesLupeaulxhadagreedthattheyshouldhavethem；hewasnotplayingforastake；hechallengedthebank，asitwere，knowingverywellthatthekingwasnotamantoforgetthisdebtofhonor。DesLupeaulxwasnotmistaken；

hewasappointedMasterofpetitions，KnightoftheorderofSaintLouis，andofficeroftheLegionofhonor。Onceontheladderofpoliticalsuccess，hisclevermindlookedaboutforthemeanstomaintainhisfoothold；forinthefortifiedcityintowhichhehadwormedhimself，generalsdonotlongkeepuselessmouths。Sotohisgeneraltradeofhouseholddrudgeandgo-betweenheaddedthatofgratuitousconsultationonthesecretmaladiesofpower。

Afterdiscoveringintheso-calledsuperiormenoftheRestorationtheirutterinferiorityincomparisonwiththeeventswhichhadbroughtthemtothefront，heovercametheirpoliticalmediocritybyputtingintotheirmouths，atacrisis，thewordofcommandforwhichmenofrealtalentwerelistening。Itmustnotbethoughtthatthiswordwastheoutcomeofhisownmind。Wereitso，desLupeaulxwouldhavebeenamanofgenius，whereashewasonlyamanoftalent。Hewenteverywhere，collectedopinions，soundedconsciences，andcaughtallthetonestheygaveout。Hegatheredknowledgelikeatrueandindefatigablepoliticalbee。ThiswalkingBayledictionarydidnotact，however，likethatfamouslexicon；hedidnotreportallopinionswithoutdrawinghisownconclusions；hehadthetalentofaflywhichdropsplumbuponthebestbitofmeatinthemiddleofakitchen。Inthiswayhecametoberegardedasanindispensablehelpertostatesmen。AbeliefinhiscapacityhadtakensuchdeeprootinallmindsthatthemoreambitiouspublicmenfeltitwasnecessarytocompromisedesLupeaulxinsomewaytopreventhisrisinghigher；theymadeuptohimforhissubordinatepublicpositionbytheirsecretconfidence。

Nevertheless，feelingthatsuchmenweredependentonhim，thisgleanerofideasexactedcertaindues。HereceivedasalaryonthestaffoftheNationalGuard，whereheheldasinecurewhichwaspaidforbythecityofParis；hewasgovernmentcommissionertoasecretsociety；andfilledapositionofsuperintendenceintheroyalhousehold。Histwoofficialpostswhichappearedonthebudgetwerethoseofsecretary-generaltohisministryandMasterofpetitions。

WhathenowwantedwastobemadecommanderoftheLegionofhonor，gentlemanofthebed-chamber，count，anddeputy。Tobeelecteddeputyitwasnecessarytopaytaxestotheamountofathousandfrancs；andthemiserablehomesteadofthedesLupeaulxwasratedatonlyfivehundred。Wherecouldhegetmoneytobuildamansionandsurrounditwithsufficientdomaintothrowdustintheeyesofaconstituency？

Thoughhedinedouteveryday，andwaslodgedforthelastnineyearsatthecostoftheState，anddrivenaboutintheminister’sequipage，desLupeaulxpossessedabsolutelynothing，atthetimewhenourtaleopens，butthirtythousandfrancsofdebt——undisputedproperty。A

marriagemightfloathimandpumpthewatersofdebtoutofhisbark；

butagoodmarriagedependedonhisadvancement，andhisadvancementrequiredthatheshouldbeadeputy。Searchingabouthimforthemeansofbreakingthroughthisviciouscircle，hecouldthinkofnothingbetterthansomeimmenseservicetorenderorsomedelicateintriguetocarrythroughforpersonsinpower。Alas！conspiracieswereoutofdate；theBourbonswereapparentlyongoodtermswithallparties；

and，unfortunately，forthelastfewyearsthegovernmenthadbeensothoroughlyhelduptothelightofdaybythesillydiscussionsoftheLeft，whoseaimseemedtobetomakegovernmentofanykindimpossibleinFrance，thatnogoodstrokesofbusinesscouldbemade。ThelastweretriedinSpain，andwhatanoutcrythatexcited！

Inadditiontoallthis，desLupeaulxcomplicatedmattersbybelievinginthefriendshipofhisminister，towhomhehadtheimprudencetoexpressthewishtositontheministerialbenches。Theministerguessedattherealmeaningofthedesire，whichsimplywasthatdesLupeaulxwantedtostrengthenaprecariousposition，sothathemightthrowoffalldependenceonhischief。Theharrierturnedagainstthehuntsman；theministergavehimcutswiththewhipandcaresses，alternately，andsetuprivalstohim。ButdesLupeaulxbehavedlikeanadroitcourtierwithallcompetitors；helaidtrapsintowhichtheyfell，andthenhedidpromptjusticeuponthem。Themorehefelthimselfindangerthemoreanxioushebecameforanirremovableposition；yethewascompelledtoplaylow；onemoment’sindiscretion，andhemightloseeverything。Apen-strokemightdemolishhiscivilianepaulets，hisplaceatcourt，hissinecure，histwoofficesandtheiradvantages；inall，sixsalariesretainedunderfireofthelawagainstpluralists。Sometimeshethreatenedhisministerasamistressthreatensherlover；tellinghimhewasabouttomarryarichwidow。

AtsuchtimestheministerpettedandcajoleddesLupeaulx。AfteroneofthesereconciliationshereceivedtheformalpromiseofaplaceintheAcademyofBelles-lettresonthefirstvacancy。”Itwouldpay，”hesaid，”thekeepofahorse。”Hisposition，sofarasitwent，wasagoodone，andClementChardindesLupeaulxflourishedinitlikeatreeplantedingoodsoil。Hecouldsatisfyhisvices，hiscaprices，hisvirtuesandhisdefects。

Thefollowingwerethetoilsofhislife。Hewasobligedtochoose，amongfiveorsixdailyinvitations，thehousewherehecouldbesureofthebestdinner。Everymorninghewenttohisminister’smorningreceptiontoamusethatofficialandhiswife，andtopettheirchildren。Thenheworkedanhourortwo；thatistosay，helaybackinacomfortablechairandreadthenewspapers，dictatedthemeaningofaletter，receivedvisitorswhentheministerwasnotpresent，explainedtheworkinageneralway，caughtorshedafewdropsoftheholy-waterofthecourt，lookedoverthepetitionswithaneyeglass，orwrotehisnameonthemargin，——asignaturewhichmeant”Ithinkitabsurd；dowhatyoulikeaboutit。”EverybodyknewthatwhendesLupeaulxwasinterestedinanypersonorinanythingheattendedtothematterpersonally。Heallowedthehead-clerkstoconverseprivatelyaboutaffairsofdelicacy，buthelistenedtotheirgossip。

FromtimetotimehewenttotheTuileriestogethiscue。Andhealwayswaitedfortheminister’sreturnfromtheChamber，ifinsession，tohearfromhimwhatintrigueormanoeuvrehewastosetabout。Thisofficialsybaritedressed，dined，andvisitedadozenorfifteensalonsbetweeneightatnightandthreeinthemorning。Attheoperahetalkedwithjournalists，forhestoodhighintheirfavor；aperpetualexchangeoflittleserviceswentonbetweenthem；hepouredintotheirearshismisleadingnewsandswallowedtheirs；hepreventedthemfromattackingthisorthatministeronsuchorsuchamatter，onthepleathatitwouldcauserealpaintotheirwivesortheirmistresses。”Saythathisbillisworthnothing，andproveitifyoucan，butdonotsaythatMariettedancedbadly。Thedevil！haven’tweallplayedourlittleplays；andwhichofusknowswhatwillbecomeofhimintimeslikethese？Youmaybeministeryourselfto-morrow，youwhoarespicingthecakesofthe’Constitutionel’to-day。”

Sometimes，inreturn，hehelpededitors，orgotridofobstaclestotheperformancesofsomeplay；gavegratuitiesandgooddinnersattherightmoment，orpromisedhisservicestobringsomeaffairtoahappyconclusion。Moreover，hereallylikedliteratureandthearts；hecollectedautographs，obtainedsplendidalbumsgratis，andpossessedsketches，engravings，andpictures。Hedidagreatdealofgoodtoartistsbysimplynotinjuringthemandbyfurtheringtheirwishesoncertainoccasionswhentheirself-lovewantedsomerathercostlygratification。Consequently，hewasmuchlikedintheworldofactorsandactresses，journalistsandartists。Foronething，theyhadthesamevicesandthesameindolenceashimself。Menwhocouldallsaysuchwittythingsintheircupsorincompanywithadanseuse，howcouldtheyhelpbeingfriends？IfdesLupeaulxhadnotbeenageneral-

secretaryhewouldcertainlyhavebeenajournalist。Thus，inthatfifteenyears’struggleinwhichtheharlequinsabreofepigramopenedabreachbywhichinsurrectionenteredthecitadel，desLupeaulxneverreceivedsomuchasascratch。

Astheyoungfryofclerkslookedatthismanplayingbowlsinthegardensoftheministrywiththeminister’schildren，theycrackedtheirbrainstoguessthesecretofhisinfluenceandthenatureofhisservices；while，ontheotherhand，thearistocratsinallthevariousministrieslookeduponhimasadangerousMephistopheles，courtedhim，andgavehimbackwithusurytheflatterieshebestowedinthehighersphere。Asdifficulttodecipherasahieroglyphicinscriptiontotheclerks，thevocationofthesecretaryandhisusefulnesswereasplainastheruleofthreetotheself-interested。

ThislesserPrincedeWagramoftheadministration，towhomthedutyofgatheringopinionsandideasandmakingverbalreportsthereonwasentrusted，knewallthesecretsofparliamentarypolitics；draggedinthelukewarm，fetched，carried，andburiedpropositions，saidtheYesandtheNothattheministersdarednotsayforthemselves。Compelledtoreceivethefirstfireandthefirstblowsofdespairandwrath，helaughedorbemoanedhimselfwiththeminister，asthecasemightbe。

MysteriouslinkbywhichmanyinterestswereinsomewayconnectedwiththeTuileries，andsafeasaconfessor，hesometimeskneweverythingandsometimesnothing；and，inadditiontoallthesefunctionscamethatofsayingfortheministerthosethingsthataministercannotsayforhimself。Inshort，withhispoliticalHephaestiontheministermightdaretobehimself；totakeoffhiswigandhisfalseteeth，layasidehisscruples，putonhisslippers，unbuttonhisconscience，andgivewaytohistrickery。However，itwasnotallabedofrosesfordesLupeaulx；heflatteredandadvisedhismaster，forcedtoflatterinordertoadvise，toadvisewhileflattering，anddisguisetheadviceundertheflattery。Allpoliticianswhofollowthistradehavebiliousfaces；andtheirconstanthabitofgivingaffirmativenodsacquiescinginwhatissaidtothem，orseemingtodoso，givesacertainpeculiarturntotheirheads。Theyagreeindifferentlywithwhateverissaidbeforethem。

Theirtalkisfullof”buts，””notwithstandings，””formyselfI

should，””wereIinyourplace”(theyoftensay”inyourplace”)，——

phrases，however，whichpavethewaytoopposition。

Inperson，ClementdesLupeaulxhadtheremainsofahandsomeman；

fivefeetsixinchestall，tolerablystout，complexionflushedwithgoodliving，powderedhead，delicatespectacles，andaworn-outair；

thenaturalskinblond，asshownbythehand，puffylikethatofanoldwoman，rathertoosquare，andwithshortnails——thehandofasatrap。Hisfootwaselegant。Afterfiveo’clockintheafternoondesLupeaulxwasalwaystobeseeninopen-workedsilkstockings，lowshoes，blacktrousers，cashmerewaistcoat，cambrichandkerchief(withoutperfume)，goldchain，bluecoatoftheshadecalled”king’sblue，”withbrassbuttonsandastringoforders。Inthemorningheworecreakingbootsandgraytrousers，andtheshortclosesurtoutcoatofthepolitician。Hisgeneralappearanceearlyinthedaywasthatofasharplawyerratherthanthatofaministerialofficer。Eyesglazedbytheconstantuseofspectaclesmadehimplainerthanhereallywas，ifbychancehetookthoseappendagesoff。Torealjudgesofcharacter，aswellastouprightmenwhoareateaseonlywithhonestnatures，desLupeaulxwasintolerable。Tothem，hisgraciousmannersonlydrapedhislies；hisamiableprotestationsandhackneyedcourtesies，newtothefoolishandignorant，tooplainlyshowedtheirtexturetoanobservingmind。Suchmindsconsideredhimarottenplank，onwhichnofootshouldtrustitself。

NosoonerhadthebeautifulMadameRabourdindecidedtointerfereinherhusband’sadministrativeadvancementthanshefathomedClementdesLupeaulx’struecharacter，andstudiedhimthoughtfullytodiscoverwhetherinthisthinstripofdealtherewereligneousfibresstrongenoughtoletherlightlytripacrossitfromthebureautothedepartment，fromasalaryofeightthousandayeartotwelvethousand。

Thecleverwomanbelievedshecouldplayherowngamewiththispoliticalroue；andMonsieurdesLupeaulxwaspartlythecauseoftheunusualexpenditureswhichnowbeganandwerecontinuedintheRabourdinhousehold。

TherueDuphot，builtupundertheEmpire，isremarkableforseveralhouseswithhandsomeexteriors，theapartmentsofwhichareskilfullylaidout。ThatoftheRabourdinswasparticularlywellarranged，——adomesticadvantagewhichhasmuchtodowiththenoblenessofprivatelives。Aprettyandratherwideantechamber，lightedfromthecourtyard，ledtothegrandsalon，thewindowsofwhichlookedonthestreet。TotherightofthesalonwereRabourdin’sstudyandbedroom，andbehindthemthedining-room，whichwasenteredfromtheantechamber；totheleftwasMadame’sbedroomanddressing-room，andbehindthemherdaughter’slittlebedroom。OnreceptiondaysthedoorofRabourdin’sstudyandthatofhiswife’sbedroomwerethrownopen。

Theroomswerethusspaciousenoughtocontainaselectcompany，withouttheabsurditywhichattendsmanymiddle-classentertainments，whereunusualpreparationsaremadeattheexpenseofthedailycomfort，andconsequentlygivetheeffectofexceptionaleffort。Thesalonhadlatelybeenrehungingold-coloredsilkwithcarmelitetouches。Madame’sbedroomwasdrapedinafabricoftrueblueandfurnishedinarococomanner。Rabourdin’sstudyhadinheritedthelatehangingsofthesalon，carefullycleaned，andwasadornedbythefinepicturesoncebelongingtoMonsieurLeprince。Thedaughterofthelateauctioneerhadutilizedinherdining-roomcertainexquisiteTurkishrugswhichherfatherhadboughtatabargain；panellingthemonthewallsinebony，thecostofwhichhassincebecomeexorbitant。ElegantbuffetsmadebyBoulle，alsopurchasedbytheauctioneer，furnishedthesidesoftheroom，attheendofwhichsparkledthebrassarabesquesinlaidintortoise-shellofthefirsttallclockthatreappearedinthenineteenthcenturytoclaimhonorforthemasterpiecesoftheseventeenth。Flowersperfumedtheseroomssofullofgoodtasteandofexquisitethings，whereeachdetailwasaworkofartwellplacedandwellsurrounded，andwhereMadameRabourdin，dressedwiththatnaturalsimplicitywhichartistsaloneattain，gavetheimpressionofawomanaccustomedtosuchelegancies，thoughsheneverspokeofthem，butallowedthecharmsofhermindtocompletetheeffectproduceduponherguestsbythesedelightfulsurroundings。

Thankstoherfather，Celestinewasabletomakesocietytalkofherassoonastherococobecamefashionable。

AccustomedasdesLupeaulxwastofalseaswellasrealmagnificenceinalltheirstages，hewas，nevertheless，surprisedatMadameRabourdin’shome。ThecharmitexercisedoverthisParisianAsmodeuscanbeexplainedbyacomparison。AtravellerweariedwiththerichaspectsofItaly，Brazil，orIndia，returnstohisownlandandfindsonhiswayadelightfullittlelake，liketheLacd’OrtaatthefootofMonteRosa，withanislandrestingonthecalmwaters，bewitchinglysimple；asceneofnatureandyetadorned；solitary，butwellsurroundedwithchoiceplantationsandfoliageandstatuesoffineeffect。Beyondliesavistaofshoresbothwildandcultivated；

tumultuousgrandeurtowersabove，butinitselfallproportionsarehuman。Theworldthatthetravellerhaslatelyviewedishereinminiature，modestandpure；hissoul，refreshed，bidshimremainwhereacharmofmelodyandpoesysurroundshimwithharmonyandawakensideaswithinhismind。Suchascenerepresentsbothlifeandamonastery。

AfewdaysearlierthebeautifulMadameFirmiani，oneofthecharmingwomenofthefaubourgSaint-GermainwhovisitedandlikedMadameRabourdin，hadsaidtodesLupeaulx(invitedexpresslytohearthisremark)，”WhydoyounotcallonMadame——？”withamotiontowardsCelestine；”shegivesdelightfulparties，andherdinners，aboveall，are——betterthanmine。”

DesLupeaulxallowedhimselftobedrawnintoanengagementbythehandsomeMadameRabourdin，who，forthefirsttime，turnedhereyesonhimasshespoke。Hehad，accordingly，gonetotherueDuphot，andthattellsthetale。Womanhasbutonetrick，criesFigaro，butthat’sinfallible。Afterdiningonceatthehouseofthisunimportantofficial，desLupeaulxmadeuphismindtodinethereoften。Thankstotheperfectlyproperandbecomingadvancesofthebeautifulwoman，whomherrival，MadameColleville，calledtheCelimeneoftherueDuphot，hehaddinedthereeveryFridayforthelastmonth，andreturnedofhisownaccordforacupofteaonWednesdays。

WithinafewdaysMadameRabourdin，havingwatchedhimnarrowlyandknowingly，believedshehadfoundonthesecretarialplankaspotwhereshemightsafelysetherfoot。Shewasnolongerdoubtfulofsuccess。Herinwardjoycanberealizedonlyinthefamiliesofgovernmentofficialswhereforthreeorfouryearsprosperityhasbeencountedonthroughsomeappointment，longexpectedandlongsought。

Howmanytroublesaretobeallayed！howmanyentreatiesandpledgesgiventotheministerialdivinities！howmanyvisitsofself-interestpaid！Atlast，thankstoherboldness，MadameRabourdinheardthehourstrikewhenshewastohavetwentythousandfrancsayearinsteadofeightthousand。”AndIshallhavemanagedwell，”shesaidtoherself。”Ihavehadtomakealittleoutlay；butthesearetimeswhenhiddenmeritisoverlooked，whereasifamankeepshimselfwellinsightbeforetheworld，cultivatessocialrelationsandextendsthem，hesucceeds。

Afterall，ministersandtheirfriendsinterestthemselvesonlyinthepeopletheysee；butRabourdinknowsnothingoftheworld！IfIhadnotcajoledthosethreedeputiestheymighthavewantedLaBillardiere’splacethemselves；whereas，nowthatIhaveinvitedthemhere，theywillbeashamedtodosoandwillbecomeoursupportersinsteadofrivals。Ihaveratherplayedthecoquette，but——itisdelightfulthatthefirstnonsensewithwhichonefoolsamansufficed。”

Thedayonwhichaseriousandunlooked-forstruggleaboutthisappointmentbegan，afteraministerialdinnerwhichprecededoneofthosereceptionswhichministersregardaspublic，desLupeaulxwasstandingbesidethefireplaceneartheminister’swife。WhiletakinghiscoffeeheoncemoreincludedMadameRabourdinamongthesevenoreightreallysuperiorwomeninParis。SeveraltimesalreadyhehadstakedMadameRabourdinverymuchasCorporalTrimstakedhiscap。”Don’tsaythattoooften，mydearfriend，oryouwillinjureher，”

saidtheminister’swife，half-laughing。