of a steam chamber, caused
him some surprise.

'I will help you,' he said. 'What do you want for your laboratory?'

'Why, nothing, monsieur le ministre, nothing! With a little application,
the plant I have is ample.'

'What, nothing! You are unique there! The others overwhelm me with
requests; their laboratories are never well enough supplied. And you,
poor as you are, refuse my offers!'

'No, there is one thing which I will accept.'

'What is that?'

'The signal honor of shaking you by the hand.'

'There you are, my friend, with all my heart. But that's not enough.
What else do you want?'

'The Paris Jardin des Plantes is under your control. Should a crocodile
die, let them keep the hide for me. I will stuff it with straw and hang
it from the ceiling. Thus adorned, my workshop will rival the wizard's
cave.'

The minister cast his eyes round the nave and glanced up at the Gothic
vault: 'Yes, it would look very well.' And he gave a laugh at my sally.
'I now know you as a chemist,' he continued. 'I knew you already as a
naturalist and a writer. I have heard about your little animals. I am
sorry that I shall have to leave without seeing them. They must wait for
another occasion. My train will be starting presently. Walk with me to
the station, will you? We shall be alone and we can chat a bit more on
the way.'

We strolled along, discussing entomology and madder. My shyness had
disappeared. The self sufficiency of a fool would have left me dumb;
the fine frankness of a lofty mind put me at my ease. I told him of my
experiments in natural history, of my plans for a professorship, of my
fight with harsh fate, my hopes and fears. He encouraged me, spoke to
me of a better future. We reached the station and walked up and down
outside, talking away delightfully.

A poor old woman passed, all in rags, her back bent by age and years of
work in the fields. She furtively put out her hand for alms. Duruy
felt in his waistcoat, found a two franc piece and placed it in the
outstretched hand; I wanted to add a couple of sous as my contribution,
but my pockets were empty, as usual. I went to the beggar woman and
whispered in her ear: 'Do you know who gave you that? It's the emperor's
minister.

The poor woman started; and her astounded eyes wandered from the
open-handed swell to the piece of silver and from the piece of silver to
the open-handed swell. What a surprise! What a windfall!

'Que lou bon Dieu ie done longo