ess war upon him, which was carried on so
skilfully that public opinion, always credulous, always putting out its
neck to see how the wind is blowing, was beginning to be seriously
influenced. We must do Mora the justice to say that he was no follower
of the crowd. When he saw the Nabob's face, always good-humored, but
wearing a piteous, discomfited look, in a corner of the gallery, it had
occurred to him that it was cowardly to receive him there, and he had
told him to go up to his room.

Jenkins and Jansoulet, being decidedly embarrassed in each other's
presence, exchanged a few commonplace words. Their warm friendship had
grown sensibly cooler of late, Jansoulet having flatly refused any
further subsidy to the Work of Bethlehem, thereby leaving the enterprise
on the Irishman's hands; he was furious at that defection, much more
furious just then because he had been unable to open Felicia's letter
before the intruder's arrival. The Nabob, for his part, was wondering
whether the doctor was to be present at the conversation he wished to
have with the duke on the subject of the infamous allusions with which
the _Messager_ was hounding him; he was anxious also to know whether
those calumnies had cooled the all-powerful goodwill, which would be so
necessary to him in the confirmation of his election. The welcome he had
received in the gallery had partly quieted his fears; they vanished
altogether when the duke returned and came toward him with outstretched
hand.

"Well, well! my poor Jansoulet, I should say that Paris is making you
pay dear for her welcome. What a tempest of scolding and hatred and bad
temper!"

"Ah! Monsieur le Duc, if you knew--"

"I do know--I have read it all," said the minister, drawing near the
fire.

"I trust that your Excellency doesn't believe those infamous stories. At
all events I have here--I have brought proofs."

With his strong hairy hands trembling with emotion, he fumbled among the
papers in an enormous portfolio that he had under his arm.

"Never mind--never mind. I know all about it. I know that, purposely or
not, they have confused you with another person whom family reasons--"

The duke could not restrain a smile in face of the utter bewilderment of
the Nabob, who was astounded to find him so well informed.

"A minister of State should know everything. But never fear. Your
election shall be confirmed, all the same. And when it is once
confirmed--"

Jansoulet drew a long bre