ibune."

"And made him lie like a charlatan," returned Canalis.

"A worthy victory," said the honest Giraud. "In his place what would you
have done?"

"I should have lied."

"It isn't called lying," said Maxime de Trailles; "it is called
protecting the crown."

So saying, he led Canalis away to a little distance.

"That's a great orator," said Leon to Giraud, pointing to Canalis.

"Yes and no," replied the councillor of state. "A fine bass voice, and
sonorous, but more of an artist in words than an orator. In short, he's
a fine instrument but he isn't music, consequently he has not, and he
never will have, the ear of the Chamber; in no case will he ever be
master of the situation."

Canalis and Maxime were returning toward the little group as Giraud,
deputy of the Left Centre, pronounced this verdict. Maxime took Giraud
by the arm and led him off, probably to make the same confidence he had
just made Canalis.

"What an honest, upright fellow that is," said Leon to Canalis, nodding
towards Giraud.

"One of those upright fellows who kill administrators," replied Canalis.

"Do you think him a good orator?"

"Yes and no," replied Canalis; "he is wordy; he's long-winded, a plodder
in argument, and a good logician; but he doesn't understand the higher
logic, that of events and circumstances; consequently he has never had,
and never will have, the ear of the Chamber."

At the moment when Canalis uttered this judgment on Giraud, the latter
was returning with Maxime to the group; and forgetting the presence of
a stranger whose discretion was not known to them like that of Leon and
Bixiou, he took Canalis by the hand in a very significant manner.

"Well," he said, "I consent to what Monsieur de Trailles proposes. I'll
put the question to you in the Chamber, but I shall do it with great
severity."

"Then we shall have the house with us, for a man of your weight and
your eloquence is certain to have the ear of the Chamber," said Canalis.
"I'll reply to you; but I shall do it sharply, to crush you."

"You could bring about a change of the cabinet, for on such ground you
can do what you like with the Chamber, and be master of the situation."

"Maxime has trapped them both," said Leon to his cousin; "that fellow is
like a fish in water among the intrigues of the Chamber."

"Who is he?" asked Gazonal.

"An ex-scoundrel who is now in a fair way to become an ambassador,"
replied Bixiou.

"Giraud!" said Leon to t