ath of relief.

"Ah! Monsieur le Duc, how much good you do me by talking to me thus. I
was beginning to lose all my confidence. My enemies are so powerful! And
on top of all the rest there's another piece of ill-luck. Le Merquier,
of all people, is assigned to make the report concerning my election."

"Le Merquier?--the devil!"

"Yes, Le Merquier, Hemerlingue's confidential man, the vile hypocrite
who converted the baroness, doubtless because his religion forbids him
to have a Mohammedan for his mistress."

"Fie, fie, Jansoulet!"

"What can you expect, Monsieur le Duc? You lose your temper sometimes,
too. Just think of the position those villains are putting me in. A week
ago my election should have been confirmed, and they have postponed the
meeting of the committee purposely, because they know the terrible
plight I am in, with all my fortune paralyzed, and the bey waiting for
the decision of the Chamber to know whether he can strip me clean or
not. I have eighty millions over there, Monsieur le Duc, and here I am
beginning to be in need of money. If this lasts a little longer--"

He wiped away the great drops of perspiration that were rolling down his
cheeks.

"Very well! I will make this matter of your confirmation my business,"
said the minister with much animation. "I will write to What's-his-name
to hurry up his report; and even if I have to be carried to the
Chamber--"

"Is your Excellency ill?" queried Jansoulet in a tone of deep interest,
in which there was no lack of sincerity, I promise you.

"No--a little weakness. We are a little short of blood; but Jenkins is
going to give us a new supply. Eh, Jenkins?"

The Irishman, who was not listening, made a vague gesture.

"Thunder! And to think that I have too much blood!" And the Nabob
loosened his cravat around his swollen neck, on the verge of apoplexy
with excitement and the heat of the room. "If I could only let you have
a little, Monsieur le Duc!"

"It would be fortunate for both of us," rejoined the minister with a
touch of irony. "For you especially; you are such a violent fellow and
at this moment need to be so calm. Look out for that, Jansoulet. Be on
your guard against the traps, the fits of passion they would like to
drive you into. Say to yourself now that you are a public man, standing
on an elevation, and that all your gestures can be seen from a distance.
The newspapers insult you; don't read them if you cannot conceal the
emotion the