after a preliminary exchange of courtesies, said
that, tired of waiting for Madame Bordin, he had started before her. She
wished to buy the Ecalles from him.

Bouvard experienced a kind of chilling sensation, and he hurried towards
Pecuchet's room.

Pecuchet did not know what reply to make. He was in an anxious frame of
mind, as M. Vaucorbeil was to be there presently.

At length Madame Bordin arrived. The delay was explained by the manifest
attention she had given to her toilette, which consisted of a cashmere
frock, a hat, and fine kid gloves--a costume befitting a serious
occasion.

After much frivolous preliminary talk she asked whether a thousand
crown-pieces would not be sufficient.

"One acre! A thousand crown-pieces! Never!"

She half closed her eyes. "Oh! for me!"

And all three remained silent.

M. de Faverges entered. He had a morocco case under his arm, like a
solicitor; and, depositing it on the table, said:

"These are pamphlets! They deal with reform--a burning question; but
here is a thing which no doubt belongs to you."

And he handed Bouvard the second volume of the _Memoires du Diable_.

Melie, just now, had been reading it in the kitchen; and, as one ought
to watch over the morals of persons of that class, he thought he was
doing the right thing in confiscating the book.

Bouvard had lent it to his servant-maid. They chatted about novels.
Madame Bordin liked them when they were not dismal.

"Writers," said M. de Faverges, "paint life in colours that are too
flattering."

"It is necessary to paint," urged Bouvard.

"Then nothing can be done save to follow the example."

"It is not a question of example."

"At least, you will admit that they might fall into the hands of a young
daughter. I have one."

"And a charming one!" said the notary, with the expression of
countenance he wore on the days of marriage contracts.

"Well, for her sake, or rather for that of the persons that surround
her, I prohibit them in my house, for the people, my dear sir----"

"What have the people done?" said Vaucorbeil, appearing suddenly at the
door.

Pecuchet, who had recognised his voice, came to mingle with the company.

"I maintain," returned the count, "that it is necessary to prevent them
from reading certain books."

Vaucorbeil observed: "Then you are not in favour of education?"

"Yes, certainly. Allow me----"

"When every day," said Marescot, "an attack is made on the government."