“Dutocq, you have a grudge against Monsieur Rabourdin, and it isn’t right; for he has twice saved you from being turned out.  However, we are not masters of our own feelings; we sometimes hate our benefactors.  Only, remember this; if you show the slightest treachery to Rabourdin, without my permission, it will be your ruin.  As to that newspaper, let the Grand Almoner subscribe as largely as we do, if he wants its services.  Here we are at the end of the year; the matter of subscriptions will come up for discussion, and I shall have something to say on that head.  As to La Billardiere’s place, there is only one way to settle the matter; and that is to appoint Rabourdin this very day.”

“Gentlemen,” said Dutocq, returning to the clerks’ office and addressing his colleagues.  “I don’t know if Bixiou has the art of looking into futurity, but if you have not read the ministerial journal I advise you to study the article about Baudoyer; then, as Monsieur Fleury takes the opposition sheet, you can see the reply.  Monsieur Rabourdin certainly has talent, but a man who in these days gives a six-thousand-franc monstrance to the Church has a devilish deal more talent than he.”

Bixiou [entering].  “What say you, gentlemen, to the First Epistle to the Corinthians in our pious ministerial journal, and the reply Epistle to the Ministers in the opposition sheet?  How does Monsieur Rabourdin feel now, du Bruel?”

Du Bruel [rushing in].  “I don’t know.” [He drags Bixiou back into his cabinet, and says in a low voice] “My good fellow, your way of helping people is like that of the hangman who jumps upon a victim’s shoulders to break his neck.  You got me into a scrape with des Lupeaulx, which my folly in ever trusting you richly deserved.  A fine thing indeed, that article on La Billardiere.  I sha’n’t forget the trick!  Why, the very first sentence was as good as telling the King he was superannuated and it was time for him to die.  And as to that Quiberon bit, it said plainly that the King was a—­ What a fool I was!”

Bixiou [laughing].  “Bless my heart! are you getting angry?  Can’t a fellow joke any more?”

Du Bruel.  “Joke! joke indeed.  When you want to be made head-clerk somebody shall joke with you, my dear fellow.”

Bixiou [in a bullying tone].  “Angry, are we?”

Du Bruel.  “Yes!”

Bixiou [dryly].  “So much the worse for you.”

Du Bruel [uneasy].  “You wouldn’t pardon such a thing yourself, I know.”

Bixiou [in a wheedling tone].  “To a friend? indeed I would.” [They hear Fleury’s voice.] “There’s Fleury cursing Baudoyer.  Hey, how well the thing has been managed!  Baudoyer will get the appointment.” [Confidentially] “After all, so much the better.  Du Bruel, just keep your eye on the consequences.  Rabourdin would be a mean-spirited creature to stay under Baudoyer; he will send in his registration, and that will give us two places.  You can be head of the bureau and take me for under-head-clerk.  We will make vaudevilles together, and I’ll fag at your work in the office.”