as burlesque as they are odious. [Much excitement.] In point of fact, I was so anxious not to neglect any of the duties of my new position that I did precisely what the minister of Public Works reproaches me for not doing.  I selected a man in a most honorable position, who was, like myself, a repository of the secret I am unable to divulge, and I requested him to make all necessary explanations to the president of this Chamber.  But, calumny having no doubt worked upon his mind, that honorable person must have thought it compromising to his name and dignity to do me this service.  The danger to me being now over, I shall not betray his prudent incognito.  Though I was far indeed from expecting this calculating selfishness, which has painfully surprised and wounded me, I shall be careful to keep this betrayal of friendship between myself and his own conscience, which alone shall reproach him for the wrong he has done me.

  At this moment a disturbance occurred in the peers’ gallery; a
  lady had fainted; and several deputies, among them a physician,
  left the hall hastily.  The sitting was momentarily suspended.

  The President.—­Ushers, open the ventilators.  It is want of air
  that has caused this unfortunate accident.  M. de Sallenauve, be
  good enough to resume your speech.

M. de Sallenauve.—­Two words, gentleman, and I have finished.  I think the petition to authorize a criminal prosecution has already lost something of its weight in the minds of my least cordial colleagues.  But I have here a letter from the Romilly peasant-woman, my relation, duly signed and authenticated, withdrawing her charge and confirming all the explanations I have just had the honor to give you.  I might read this letter aloud to you, but I think it more becoming to place it in the hands of M. le president. ["Very good! very good!”] As for my illegal absence, I returned to Paris early this morning, and I could have been in my seat at the opening of the Chamber; but, as M. de Canalis has told you, I had it much at heart not to appear in this hall until I could disperse the cloud which has so strangely appeared around my reputation.  It has taken me the whole morning to obtain these papers.  And now, gentlemen, you have to decide whether a few hours’ delay in taking his seat in this Chamber justifies you in sending a colleague back to his electors.  But after all, whatever is done, whether some persist in thinking me a forger, or a libertine, or merely a negligent deputy, I feel no anxiety about the verdict of my electors.  I can confidently assert that after a delay of a few weeks I shall return to you.

  Cries on all sides.—­The vote! the vote!

  On leaving the tribune M. de Sallenauve receives many
  congratulations.

  The President.—­I put to vote the admission of M. de Sallenauve
  as the deputy elected by the arrondissement of Arcis.