kitchen costs us sixty millions, but the gendarmerie, the courts of law, the galleys and the police cost just as much, and give no return.  Moreover, we employ a body of men who could do no other work.  Waste and disorder, if such there be, can only be legislative; the Chambers lead to them and render them legal.  Leakage follows in the form of public works which are neither urgent nor necessary; troops re-uniformed and gold-laced over and over again; vessels sent on useless cruises; preparations for war without ever making it; paying the debts of a State, and not requiring reimbursement or insisting on security.”

Baudoyer.  “But such leakage has nothing to do with the subordinate officials; this bad management of national affairs concerns the statesmen who guide the ship.”

The Minister [who has finished his conversation].  “There is a great deal of truth in what des Lupeaulx has just said; but let me tell you” [to Baudoyer], “Monsieur le directeur, that few men see from the standpoint of a statesman.  To order expenditure of all kinds, even useless ones, does not constitute bad management.  Such acts contribute to the movement of money, the stagnation of which becomes, especially in France, dangerous to the public welfare, by reason of the miserly and profoundly illogical habits of the provinces which hoard their gold.”

The Deputy [who listened to des Lupeaulx].  “But it seems to me that if your Excellency was right just now, and if our clever friend here” [takes Lupeaulx by the arm] “was not wrong, it will be difficult to come to any conclusion on the subject.”

Des Lupeaulx [after looking at the minister].  “No doubt something ought to be done.”

De la Briere [timidly].  “Monsieur Rabourdin seems to have judged rightly.”

The Minister.  “I will see Rabourdin.”

Des Lupeaulx.  “The poor man made the blunder of constituting himself supreme judge of the administration and of all the officials who compose it; he wants to do away with the present state of things, and he demands that there be only three ministries.”

The Minister.  “He must be crazy.”

The Deputy.  “How do you represent in three ministries the heads of all the parties in the Chamber?”

Baudoyer [with an air that he imagined to be shrewd].  “Perhaps Monsieur Rabourdin desired to change the Constitution, which we owe to our legislative sovereign.”

The Minister [thoughtful, takes La Briere’s arm and leads him into the study].  “I want to see that work of Rabourdin’s, and as you know about it—­”

De la Briere.  “He has burned it.  You allowed him to be dishonored and he has resigned from the ministry.  Do not think for a moment, Monseigneur, that Rabourdin ever had the absurd thought (as des Lupeaulx tries to make it believed) to change the admirable centralization of power.”

The Minister [to himself].  “I have made a mistake” [is silent a moment].  “No matter; we shall never be lacking in plans for reform.”