to make the report on the Deux-Sevres
election, and M. Sarigue, realizing his incapacity, full of a ghastly
dread of being sent back in disgrace to his own fireside, prowled humbly
and beseechingly around that tall, curly-haired worthy, whose broad
shoulder-blades moved back and forth like the bellows of a forge under
his fine tightly fitting frock-coat, little suspecting that a poor,
worried creature like himself was hidden beneath that solid envelope.

As he worked at the report of the election at Deux-Sevres, going over
the numerous protests, the charges of electoral trickery, banquets
given, money squandered, casks of wine broached in front of the mayor's
office, the usual manoeuvres of an election in those days, Jansoulet
shuddered on his own account. "Why, I did all that!" he said to himself
in dismay. Ah! M. Sarigue need have no fear, he could never have put his
hand upon a more kindly-disposed judge or a more indulgent one, for the
Nabob, moved to pity for his patient, knowing by experience how painful
the agony of suspense is, did his work with all possible haste, and the
huge portfolio that he had under his arm when he left the hotel de Mora,
contained his report, all ready to be read to the Committee.

Whether it was the thought of that first essay as a public officer, or
the duke's kind words, or the magnificent weather, which was keenly
enjoyed by that Southerner whose impressions were wholly physical, and
who was accustomed to transact business in the warm sunlight and beneath
the blue sky,--certain it is that the ushers of the Corps Legislatif
beheld that day a superb and haughty Jansoulet whom they had not known
before. Old Hemerlingue's carriage, recognizable by the unusual width of
its doors, of which he caught a glimpse through the iron railing, was
all that was needed to put him in full possession of his natural
assurance and audacity.

"The enemy is at hand. Attention!" As he walked through the Salle des
Pas-Perdus, he saw the financier talking in a corner with Le Merquier,
the judge of his election, passed close by them and stared at them with
a triumphant air which made them wonder: "What in God's name has
happened to him?"

Then, enchanted by his own _sang-froid_, he walked toward the
committee-rooms, vast, high apartments, opening from both sides of a
long corridor, furnished with huge tables covered with green cloths and
heavy chairs of uniform pattern which bore the stamp of wearisome
sole