If we were known to have meddled in election matters, we
should be eaten up alive by the Puritans of the Left--who do worse--and
blamed by some of our own party, who want everything. Madame de
Chavoncourt has no suspicion of my share in all this. I have confided
in no one but Madame de Watteville, whom we may trust as we trust
ourselves."

"I will bring the Duchess to you to be blessed!" cried Savarus.

After seeing out the old priest, Albert went to bed in the swaddling
clothes of power.

* * * * *

Next evening, as may well be supposed, by nine o'clock Madame la Baronne
de Watteville's rooms were crowded by the aristocracy of Besancon in
convocation extraordinary. They were discussing the exceptional step
of going to the poll, to oblige the daughter of the Rupts. It was known
that the former Master of Appeals, the secretary of one of the most
faithful ministers under the Elder Branch, was to be presented that
evening. Madame de Chavoncourt was there with her second daughter
Sidonie, exquisitely dressed, while her elder sister, secure of her
lover, had not indulged in any of the arts of the toilet. In country
towns these little things are remarked. The Abbe de Grancey's fine and
clever head was to be seen moving from group to group, listening to
everything, seeming to be apart from it all, but uttering those incisive
phrases which sum up a question and direct the issue.

"If the Elder Branch were to return," said he to an old statesman of
seventy, "what politicians would they find?"--"Berryer, alone on his
bench, does not know which way to turn; if he had sixty votes, he would
often scotch the wheels of the Government and upset Ministries!"--"The
Duc de Fitz-James is to be nominated at Toulouse."--"You will enable
Monsieur de Watteville to win his lawsuit."--"If you vote for Monsieur
Savarus, the Republicans will vote with you rather than with the
Moderates!" etc., etc.

At nine o'clock Albert had not arrived. Madame de Watteville was
disposed to regard such delay as an impertinence.

"My dear Baroness," said Madame de Chavoncourt, "do not let such serious
issues turn on such a trifle. The varnish on his boots is not dry--or a
consultation, perhaps, detains Monsieur de Savarus."

Rosalie shot a side glance at Madame de Chavoncourt.

"She is very lenient to Monsieur de Savarus," she whispered to her
mother.

"You see," said the Baroness with a smile, "there is a question of a
marriage between Sidonie and M