ved herself certain of success, never dreaming that Rabourdin
was undermined in all directions by the secret sapping of the mollusks.

"Well, Monseigneur," said des Lupeaulx, entering the little salon where
they breakfasted, "have you seen the articles on Baudoyer?"

"For God's sake, my dear friend," replied the minister, "don't talk of
those appointments just now; let me have an hour's peace! They cracked
my ears last night with that monstrance. The only way to save Rabourdin
is to bring his appointment before the Council, unless I submit to
having my hand forced. It is enough to disgust a man with the public
service. I must purchase the right to keep that excellent Rabourdin by
promoting a certain Colleville!"

"Why not make over the management of this pretty little comedy to me,
and rid yourself of the worry of it? I'll amuse you every morning with
an account of the game of chess I should play with the Grand Almoner,"
said des Lupeaulx.

"Very good," said the minister, "settle it with the head examiner. But
you know perfectly well that nothing is more likely to strike the king's
mind than just those reasons the opposition journal has chosen to put
forth. Good heavens! fancy managing a ministry with such men as Baudoyer
under me!"

"An imbecile bigot," said des Lupeaulx, "and as utterly incapable as--"

"--as La Billardiere," added the minister.

"But La Billardiere had the manners of a gentleman-in-ordinary," replied
des Lupeaulx. "Madame," he continued, addressing the countess, "it
is now an absolute necessity to invite Madame Rabourdin to your next
private party. I must assure you she is the intimate friend of Madame
de Camps; they were at the Opera together last night. I first met her at
the hotel Firmiani. Besides, you will see that she is not of a kind to
compromise a salon."

"Invite Madame Rabourdin, my dear," said the minister, "and pray let us
talk of something else."

CHAPTER VII. SCENES FROM DOMESTIC LIFE

Parisian households are literally eaten up with the desire to be in
keeping with the luxury that surrounds them on all sides, and few there
are who have the wisdom to let their external situation conform to
their internal revenue. But this vice may perhaps denote a truly French
patriotism, which seeks to maintain the supremacy of the nation in the
matter of dress. France reigns through clothes over the whole of Europe;
and every one must feel the importance of retaining a commercial sc