The saving of candle-ends it has so long practised behind its counters, it now seeks to impose on its princes.  What may perhaps have been virtue in its shops is a blunder and a crime higher up.  I myself have wanted many things for the people, but I never should have begun by lopping off ten millions of francs from the new civil list.  In becoming, as it were, nearly the whole of France, the bourgeoisie owed to us the prosperity of the people, splendor without ostentation, grandeur without privilege.”

The father of Olivier Vinet was just now sulking with the government.  The robe of Keeper of the Seals, which had been his dream, was slow in coming to him.  The young substitute did not, therefore, know exactly how to answer this speech; he thought it wise to enlarge on one of its side issues.

“You are right, monsieur,” said Olivier Vinet.  “But, before manifesting itself magnificently, the bourgeoisie has other duties to fulfil towards France.  The luxury you speak of should come after duty.  That which seems to you so blameable is the necessity of the moment.  The Chamber is far from having its full share in public affairs; the ministers are less for France than they are for the crown, and parliament has determined that the administration shall have, as in England, a strength and power of its own, and not a mere borrowed power.  The day on which the administration can act for itself, and represent the Chamber as the Chamber represents the country, parliament will be found very liberal toward the crown.  The whole question is there.  I state it without expressing my own opinion, for the duties of my post demand, in politics, a certain fealty to the crown.”

“Setting aside the political question,” replied the young man, whose voice and accent were those of a native of Provence, “it is certainly true that the bourgeoisie has ill understood its mission.  We can see, any day, the great law officers, attorney-generals, peers of France in omnibuses, judges who live on their salaries, prefects without fortunes, ministers in debt!  Whereas the bourgeoisie, who have seized upon those offices, ought to dignify them, as in the olden time when aristocracy dignified them, and not occupy such posts solely for the purpose of making their fortune, as scandalous disclosures have proved.”

“Who is this young man?” thought Olivier Vinet.  “Is he a relative?  Cardot ought to have come with me on this first visit.”

“Who is that little monsieur?” asked Minard of Barbet.  “I have seen him here several times.”

“He is a tenant,” replied Metivier, shuffling the cards.

“A lawyer,” added Barbet, in a low voice, “who occupies a small apartment on the third floor front.  Oh! He doesn’t amount to much; he has nothing.”

“What is the name of that young man?” said Olivier Vinet to Thuillier.

“Theodose de la Peyrade; he is a barrister,” replied Thuillier, in a whisper.