consulting his colleagues]. "Come, Fleury, you're a
good fellow, but don't talk politics here; you don't know what harm you
may do us."

Fleury [dryly]. "Well, adieu, gentlemen; I have my work to do by four
o'clock."

While this idle talk had been going on, des Lupeaulx was closeted in
his office with du Bruel, where, a little later, Dutocq joined them. Des
Lupeaulx had heard from his valet of La Billardiere's death, and wishing
to please the two ministers, he wanted an obituary article to appear in
the evening papers.

"Good morning, my dear du Bruel," said the semi-minister to the
head-clerk as he entered, and not inviting him to sit down. "You have
heard the news? La Billardiere is dead. The ministers were both
present when he received the last sacraments. The worthy man strongly
recommended Rabourdin, saying he should die with less regret if he could
know that his successor were the man who had so constantly done his
work. Death is a torture which makes a man confess everything. The
minister agreed the more readily because his intention and that of the
Council was to reward Monsieur Rabourdin's numerous services. In fact,
the Council of State needs his experience. They say that young La
Billardiere is to leave the division of his father and go to the
Commission of Seals; that's just the same as if the King had made him a
present of a hundred thousand francs,--the place can always be sold. But
I know the news will delight your division, which will thus get rid of
him. Du Bruel, we must get ten or a dozen lines about the worthy late
director into the papers; his Excellency will glance them over,--he
reads the papers. Do you know the particulars of old La Billardiere's
life?"

Du Bruel made a sign in the negative.

"No?" continued des Lupeaulx. "Well then; he was mixed up in the affairs
of La Vendee, and he was one of the confidants of the late King. Like
Monsieur le Comte de Fontaine he always refused to hold communication
with the First Consul. He was a bit of a 'chouan'; born in Brittany of a
parliamentary family, and ennobled by Louis XVIII. How old was he? never
mind about that; just say his loyalty was untarnished, his religion
enlightened,--the poor old fellow hated churches and never set foot
in one, but you had better make him out a 'pious vassal.' Bring in,
gracefully, that he sang the song of Simeon at the accession of Charles
X. The Comte d'Artois thought very highly of La Billardiere, for he
co-oper