to this assembly.  But as, against my intention, and I may add against my will, I have entered the tribune, the Chamber will permit me, perhaps, —­although no ministerial interest is here concerned,—­to say a few words. [Cries from the Centre:  “Go on!” “Speak!”]

M. le ministre then went on to say that the conduct of the absent deputy showed contempt for the Chamber; he was treating it lightly and cavalierly.  M. de Sallenauve had asked for leave of absence; but how or where had he asked for it?  From a foreign country!  That is to say, he began by taking it, and then asked for it!  Did he trouble himself, as is usual in such cases, to give a reason for the request?  No; he merely says, in his letter to your president, that he is forced to absent himself on “urgent business,”—­a very convenient excuse, on which the Chamber might be depopulated of half its members.  But, supposing that M. de Sallenauve’s business was really urgent, and that he thought it of a nature not to be explained in a letter that would necessarily be made public, why had he not written confidentially to the president, or even requested a friend in some responsible position, whose simple word would have sufficed, to assure the Chamber of the necessity of the deputy’s absence without requiring any statement of private reasons?

At this point M. de Rastignac’s remarks were interrupted by a commotion in the corridor to the right.  Several deputies left their seats; others jumped upon the benches, apparently endeavoring to see something.  The minister, after turning to the president, from whom he seemed to be asking an explanation, went back to the ministerial bench, where he was immediately surrounded by a number of the deputies of the Centre, among whom, noticeable for the vehemence of his gestures, was M. le procureur-general Vinet.  Groups formed in the audience chamber; the sitting was, in fact, informally suspended.

  After a few moments’ delay M. le president rings his bell.

  The Ushers.—­Take your seats, gentlemen.

  The deputies hasten on all sides to do so.

  The President.—­M. de Sallenauve has the floor.

M. de Sallenauve, who, during the few moments that the sitting was interrupted by his entrance, has been talking with M. de Canalis and M. d’Arthez, goes to the tribune.  His manner is modest, but he shows no sign of embarrassment.  Every one is struck by his resemblance to the portraits of one of the most fiery of the revolutionary orators.

  A Voice.—­It is Danton—­without the small-pox!