darkness.] “Well, it is just because the promotion would be so fitting, and because the man has such merit, and because the measure is so eminently wise and equitable that I bet Rabourdin will not be appointed.  Yes, you’ll see, that appointment will slip up, just like the invasion from Boulogne, and the march to Russia, for the success of which a great genius has gathered together all the chances.  It will fail as all good and just things do fail in this low world.  I am only backing the devil’s game.”

Du Bruel.  “Who do you think will be appointed?”

Bixiou.  “The more I think about Baudoyer, the more sure I feel that he unites all the opposite qualities; therefore I think he will be the next head of this division.”

Dutocq.  “But Monsieur des Lupeaulx, who sent for me to borrow my Charlet, told me positively that Monsieur Rabourdin was appointed, and that the little La Billardiere would be made Clerk of the Seals.”

Bixiou.  “Appointed, indeed!  The appointment can’t be made and signed under ten days.  It will certainly not be known before New-Year’s day.  There he goes now across the courtyard; look at him, and say if the virtuous Rabourdin looks like a man in the sunshine of favor.  I should say he knows he’s dismissed.” [Fleury rushes to the window.] “Gentlemen, adieu; I’ll go and tell Monsieur Baudoyer that I hear from you that Rabourdin is appointed; it will make him furious, the pious creature!  Then I’ll tell him of our wager, to cool him down,—­a process we call at the theatre turning the Wheel of Fortune, don’t we, du Bruel?  Why do I care who gets the place? simply because if Baudoyer does he will make me under-head-clerk” [goes out].

Poiret.  “Everybody says that man is clever, but as for me, I can never understand a word he says” [goes on copying].  “I listen and listen; I hear words, but I never get at any meaning; he talks about the environs of Paris when he discusses the human heart and” [lays down his pen and goes to the stove] “declares he backs the devil’s game when it is a question of Russia and Boulogne; now what is there so clever in that, I’d like to know?  We must first admit that the devil plays any game at all, and then find out what game; possibly dominoes” [blows his nose].

Fleury [interrupting].  “Pere Poiret is blowing his nose; it must be eleven o’clock.”

Du Bruel.  “So it is!  Goodness!  I’m off to the secretary; he wants to read the obituary.”

Poiret.  “What was I saying?”

Thuillier.  “Dominoes,—­perhaps the devil plays dominoes.” [Sebastien enters to gather up the different papers and circulars for signature.]

Vimeux.  “Ah! there you are, my fine young man.  Your days of hardship are nearly over; you’ll get a post.  Monsieur Rabourdin will be appointed.  Weren’t you at Madame Rabourdin’s last night?  Lucky fellow! they say that really superb women go there.”

Sebastien.  “Do they?  I didn’t know.”