第6章

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，whotooktheirwayback(alwaysonfoot)totheCafeThemis。

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！Antoine(towhomIhavejustbeenpayingfortyfrancsthatIowedhim)tellsmethatMonsieurandMadameRabourdinwereattheminister’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，basingtheiropiniononthechoicemadeofMonsieurRabourdin(theprotegeoffriendsofthenobleviscount)tofilltheofficeforwhichMonsieurBaudoyerwasfirstselected。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’smanoeuvres(instructionsforwhichnodoubtwentfromhereconfidentially)Iamsecureofamajority。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。