the scene produced by
Monsieur de Ronquerolles, the minister had been struck by the emotion
shown by the countess, and, without stopping to analyze the nature of
the sentiment she might feel for the man who had saved her child, he was
convinced of her serious interest in him.

By the suddenness and the masterly stroke of his election, Sallenauve
had become an object of strong interest to the minister,--all the
more because up to the last moment his candidacy was not seriously
considered. It was now known that in the preparatory meeting he had
given proofs of talent. To his active and dangerous party, which had but
few representatives in the Chamber, he might become an organ that would
echo far. By his peculiar position of birth and fortune, whatever
might be the truth of it, he was one who could do without the favors of
government; and all information obtained about him went to show that he
was a man of grave character and opinions, who could not be turned from
his chosen way.

On the other hand, the cloud upon his life might at a given moment serve
to neutralize his honor; and Rastignac, while rejecting the proposal of
de Trailles and Franchessini to put the mystery into the hands of the
police, did not himself renounce a means which, dangerous as it seemed
to him, he might use if occasion warranted.

In this situation Madame de l'Estorade could be useful to him in two
ways. Through her he could meet the new deputy accidentally, without
appearing to seek him, and thus study him at his ease, in order to know
if he had a vulnerable point accessible to persuasion. And, secondly,
if he found him unpersuadable, he could let Madame de l'Estorade know
in confidence of the secret inquiry about to be carried on into
Sallenauve's antecedents, which, conveyed by her to the deputy,
would have the effect of making him cautious and, consequently, less
aggressive.

However, his immediate plan suffered some modification; for Madame
de l'Estorade was not at home, and he was just leaving the house when
Monsieur de l'Estorade returned on foot.

"My wife will be here soon," he said; "she has gone to Ville d'Avray
with her daughter, and Monsieur and Madame Octave de Camps. Monsieur
Marie-Gaston, one of our good friends,--you know, the charming poet who
married Louise de Chaulieu,--has a country-house in that neighborhood,
where his wife died. He returned there to-day for the first time since
his misfortune; and these ladies have had