e:--

"Yesterday a ministerial journal plainly indicated as the probable
successor of Monsieur le Baron de la Billardiere, Monsieur
Baudoyer, one of the worthiest citizens of a populous quarter,
where his benevolence is scarcely less known than the piety on
which the ministerial organ laid so much stress. Why was that
sheet silent as to his talents? Did it reflect that in boasting of
the bourgeoise nobility of Monsieur Baudoyer--which, certainly, is
a nobility as good as any other--it was pointing out a reason for
the exclusion of the candidate? A gratuitous piece of perfidy! an
attempt to kill with a caress! To appoint Monsieur Baudoyer is to
do honor to the virtues, the talents of the middle classes, of
whom we shall ever be the supporters, though their cause seems at
times a lost one. This appointment, we repeat, will be an act of
justice and good policy; consequently we may be sure it will not
be made."

On the morrow, Friday, the usual day for the dinner given by Madame
Rabourdin, whom des Lupeaulx had left at midnight, radiant in beauty, on
the staircase of the Bouffons, arm in arm with Madame de Camps (Madame
Firmiani had lately married), the old roue awoke with his thoughts
of vengeance calmed, or rather refreshed, and his mind full of a last
glance exchanged with Celestine.

"I'll make sure of Rabourdin's support by forgiving him now,--I'll get
even with him later. If he hasn't this place for the time being I should
have to give up a woman who is capable of becoming a most precious
instrument in the pursuit of high political fortune. She understands
everything; shrinks from nothing, from no idea whatever!--and besides,
I can't know before his Excellency what new scheme of administration
Rabourdin has invented. No, my dear des Lupeaulx, the thing in hand is
to win all now for your Celestine. You may make as many faces as you
please, Madame la comtesse, but you will invite Madame Rabourdin to your
next select party."

Des Lupeaulx was one of those men who to satisfy a passion are quite
able to put away revenge in some dark corner of their minds. His course
was taken; he was resolved to get Rabourdin appointed.

"I will prove to you, my dear fellow, that I deserve a good place in
your galley," thought he as he seated himself in his study and began to
unfold a newspaper.

He knew so well what the ministerial organ would contain that he rarely
took the trouble to read it, but on