’As for -----’s indiscretion, this is to be regretted.  I am writing to
him.  For the sake of our communications, I have always desired that
Wareham’s name and address should be known only to those on whom one can
depend.  Tell him that he must remain on his guard and never acknowledge
that he knows my address.  Persevere in that course yourself.  I will wait
a few days to see if anything occurs before deciding whether the
correspondence arrangements should be altered.  It would be a big affair;
and I should afterwards regret a change if it were to prove uncalled for. 
Let us wait.’

Going through the many memoranda and notes I received from M. Zola during his exile, I also find this, dated February:  ’You did right to refuse Mr. ----- my address.  I absolutely decline to see anybody.  No matter who may call on you, under whatever pretext it be, preserve the silence of the tomb.  Less than ever am I disposed to let people disturb me.’

Again, a little later:  ’No; I will see neither the gentleman nor the lady.  Tell them so distinctly, in order that they may worry you no more.’

With the New Year, it will be remembered, had come a succession of startling events which kept M. Zola in a state of acute anxiety.  The violent attacks of the anti-Revisionists on the Criminal Chamber of the Cour de Cassation culminated in the resignation of Q. de Beaurepaire, in an inquiry into the Criminal Chamber’s methods of investigation, and finally in the passing of a law which transferred the task of the Criminal Chamber to the whole of the Supreme Court.  On the many intrigues of that period I often conversed with M. Zola, who was particularly angered by the blind opposition of President Faure and the impudent duplicity of Prime Minister Dupuy.  These two were undoubtedly doing their utmost to impede the course of justice.

Then suddenly, on February 17, came a thunderbolt.  Faure had died on the previous evening, and by his death one of the greatest obstacles to the triumph of truth was for ever removed.  We talked of the defunct president at some length, M. Zola adhering to the opinions that he had expressed during the summer.

But the great question was who would succeed M. Faure.  When M. Brisson had fallen from office after initiating the Revision proceedings, M. Zola had said to me:  ’Brisson’s present fall does not signify; it was bound to come.  But hereafter he will reap his reward for his courage in favouring revision.  Brisson will be Faure’s successor as President of the Republic.’

In expressing this opinion M. Zola had imagined that Faure would live to complete his full term of office.  His death in the very midst of the battle entirely changed the position.  M. Brisson’s time had not come, and considering his age it indeed now seemed as if he might never attain to the supreme magistracy.  The future looked blank; but M. Loubet was elected President, and a feeling of great relief followed.