ave. It was glorious to
see all the distinguished men come into the court; the younger walking
slowly with serious looks and head bent as if under the weight of a
responsibility too heavy for them, the old men carrying themselves
well and stepping out briskly. A few gouty and rheumatic, like
Courson-Launay, drove up to the foot of the steps and leant on the arm
of a colleague. They stood about before going up, talking in little
knots, and I watched the movements of their backs and shoulders and
the play of their open hands. What would I not give to hear the last
discussion of my prospects! I opened the window gently, but just then
a carriage covered with luggage came clattering into the court, and out
got a traveller wrapped in furs and wearing an otter-skin cap. It was
Epinchard; just think, dear, Epinchard arriving from Nice on purpose to
vote for me. Good fellow! Then my old master went by, his broad-brimmed
hat down over his _eyes_; he was turning over the copy of 'Without the
Veil,' which I gave him, to be used if necessary. Well, self-defence is
always legitimate.

Now there's nothing to see but two carriages waiting and the bust of
Minerva keeping guard. Goddess, protect me! They must be beginning the
calling of names, and the interrogatory. Each Academician has to state
to the President that his vote is not promised. It's a mere formality,
as you may suppose, and they all reply by a smile of denial or a little
shake of the head like a Chinese mandarin.

A most amazing thing has just happened! I had given my letter to
Corentine and was getting a breath of fresh air at the window and
trying to read the secret of my fate in the gloomy front of the building
opposite, when at the next window to mine I caught sight of
Huchenard, airing himself too, quite close to me. Huchenard, my
rival--Astier-Rehu's worst enemy, installed in his study! We were, both
equally amazed, bowed, and withdrew at the same moment. But there he is,
I can hear him, I feel that he is on the other side of the partition. No
doubt, like me, he is waiting to hear the decision of the Academie,
only he has all the space of 'Villemain's reception-room,' while I am
suffocating in this hole crammed full of papers! Now I understand the
confusion caused by my arrival. But what is it all about? What is going
on? My dear Germaine, my head is going! Which of us is the fool?

Lost! And by treachery, by some mean Academic intrigue which I do not
yet understa