Marcashadlearnedeverythingthatarealstatesmanshouldknow；
indeed，hisamazementwasconsiderablewhenhehadoccasiontodiscerntheutterignoranceofmenwhohaverisentotheadministrationofpublicaffairsinFrance。Thoughinhimitwasvocationthathadledtostudy，naturehadbeengenerousandbestowedallthatcannotbeacquired——keenperceptions，self—command，animblewit，rapidjudgment，decisiveness，and，whatisthegeniusofthesemen，fertilityinresource。
BythetimewhenMarcasthoughthimselfdulyequipped，FrancewastornbyintestinedivisionsarisingfromthetriumphoftheHouseofOrleansovertheelderbranchoftheBourbons。
Thefieldofpoliticalwarfareisevidentlychanged。Civilwarhenceforthcannotlastforlong，andwillnotbefoughtoutintheprovinces。InFrancesuchstruggleswillbeofbriefdurationandattheseatofgovernment；andthebattlewillbethecloseofthemoralcontestwhichwillhavebeenbroughttoanissuebysuperiorminds。
ThisstateofthingswillcontinuesolongasFrancehasherpresentsingularformofgovernment，whichhasnoanalogywiththatofanyothercountry；forthereisnomoreresemblancebetweentheEnglishandtheFrenchconstitutionsthanbetweenthetwolands。
ThusMarcas’placewasinthepoliticalpress。Beingpoorandunabletosecurehiselection，hehopedtomakeasuddenappearance。Heresolvedonmakingthegreatestpossiblesacrificeforamanofsuperiorintellect，toworkasasubordinatetosomerichandambitiousdeputy。LikeasecondBonaparte，hesoughthisBarras；thenewColberthopedtofindaMazarin。Hedidimmenseservices，andhedidthemthenandthere；heassumednoimportance，hemadenoboast，hedidnotcomplainofingratitude。Hedidtheminthehopethathispatronwouldputhiminapositiontobeelecteddeputy；MarcaswishedfornothingbutaloanthatmightenablehimtopurchaseahouseinParis，thequalificationrequiredbylaw。RichardIII。askedfornothingbuthishorse。
InthreeyearsMarcashadmadehisman——oneofthefiftysupposedgreatstatesmenwhoarethebattledoreswithwhichtwocunningplayerstosstheministerialportfoliosexactlyasthemanbehindthepuppet—
showhitsPunchagainsttheconstableinhisstreettheatre，andcountsonalwaysgettingpaid。ThismanexistedonlybyMarcas，buthehadjustbrainsenoughtoappreciatethevalueofhis"ghost"andtoknowthatMarcas，ifheevercametothefront，wouldremainthere，wouldbeindispensable，whilehehimselfwouldbetranslatedtothepolarzoneofLuxembourg。SohedeterminedtoputinsurmountableobstaclesinthewayofhisMentor’sadvancement，andhidhispurposeunderthesemblanceoftheutmostsincerity。Likeallmeanmen，hecoulddissimulatetoperfection，andhesoonmadeprogressinthewaysofingratitude，forhefeltthathemustkillMarcas，nottobekilledbyhim。Thesetwomen，apparentlysounited，hatedeachotherassoonasonehaddeceivedtheother。
Thepoliticianwasmadeoneofaministry；Marcasremainedintheoppositiontohinderhismanfrombeingattacked；nay，byskilfultacticshewonhimtheapplauseoftheopposition。Toexcusehimselffornotrewardinghissubaltern，thechiefpointedouttheimpossibilityoffindingaplacesuddenlyforamanontheotherside，withoutagreatdealofmanoeuvring。Marcashadhopedconfidentlyforaplacetoenablehimtomarry，andthusacquirethequalificationhesoardentlydesired。Hewastwo—and—thirty，andtheChambererelongmustbedissolved。Havingdetectedhismaninthisflagrantactofbadfaith，heoverthrewhim，oratanyratecontributedlargelytohisoverthrow，andcoveredhimwithmud。
Afallenminister，ifheistoriseagaintopower，mustshowthatheistobefeared；thisman，intoxicatedbyRoyalglibness，hadfanciedthathispositionwouldbepermanent；heacknowledgedhisdelinquencies；besidesconfessingthem，hedidMarcasasmallmoneyservice，forMarcashadgotintodebt。HesubsidizedthenewspaperonwhichMarcasworked，andmadehimthemanagerofit。
Thoughhedespisedtheman，Marcas，who，practically，wasbeingsubsidizedtoo，consentedtotakethepartofthefallenminister。
Withoutunmaskingatonceallthebatteriesofhissuperiorintellect，Marcascamealittlefurtherthanbefore；heshowedhalfhisshrewdness。TheMinistrylastedonlyahundredandeightydays；itwasswallowedup。Marcashadputhimselfintocommunicationwithcertaindeputies，hadmouldedthemlikedough，leavingeachimpressedwithahighopinionofhistalent；hispuppetagainbecameamemberoftheMinistry，andthenthepaperwasministerial。TheMinistryunitedthepaperwithanother，solelytosqueezeoutMarcas，whointhisfusionhadtomakewayforarichandinsolentrival，whosenamewaswellknown，andwhoalreadyhadhisfootinthestirrup。
Marcasrelapsedintoutterdestitution；hishaughtypatronwellknewthedepthsintowhichhehadcasthim。
Wherewashetogo？Theministerialpapers，privilywarned，wouldhavenothingtosaytohim。Theoppositionpapersdidnotcaretoadmithimtotheiroffices。MarcascouldsideneitherwiththeRepublicansnorwiththeLegitimists，twopartieswhosetriumphwouldmeantheoverthrowofeverythingthatnowis。
"Ambitiousmenlikeafastholdonthings，"saidhewithasmile。
Helivedbywritingafewarticlesoncommercialaffairs，andcontributedtooneofthoseencyclopediasbroughtoutbyspeculationandnotbylearning。Finallyapaperwasfounded，whichwasdestinedtolivebuttwoyears，butwhichsecuredhisservices。Fromthatmomentherenewedhisconnectionwiththeminister’senemies；hejoinedthepartywhowereworkingforthefalloftheGovernment；andassoonashispickaxehadfreeplay，itfell。
Thispaperhadnowforsixmonthsceasedtoexist；hehadfailedtofindemploymentofanykind；hewasspokenofasadangerousman，calumnyattackedhim；hehadunmaskedahugefinancialandmercantilejobbyafewarticlesandapamphlet。Hewasknowntobeamouthpieceofabankerwhowassaidtohavepaidhimlargely，andfromwhomhewassupposedtoexpectsomepatronageinreturnforhischampionship。
Marcas，disgustedbymenandthings，wornoutbyfiveyearsoffighting，regardedasafreelanceratherthanasagreatleader，crushedbythenecessityofearninghisdailybread，whichhinderedhimfromgainingground，indespairattheinfluenceexertedbymoneyovermind，andgivenovertodirepoverty，buriedhimselfinagarret，tomakethirtysousaday，thesumstrictlyansweringtohisneeds。
Meditationhadleveledadesertallroundhim。Hereadthepaperstobeinformedofwhatwasgoingon。PozzodiBorgohadoncelivedlikethisforsometime。
Marcas，nodoubt，wasplanningaseriousattack，accustominghimselftodissimulation，andpunishinghimselfforhisblundersbyPythagoreanmuteness。Buthedidnottellusthereasonsforhisconduct。
Itisimpossibletogiveyouanideaofthescenesofthehighestcomedythatlaybehindthisalgebraicstatementofhiscareer；hisuselesspatiencedoggingthefootstepsoffortune，whichpresentlytookwings，hislongtrampsoverthethornybrakesofParis，hisbreathlesschasesasapetitioner，hisattemptstowinoverfools；theschemeslaidonlytofailthroughtheinfluenceofsomefrivolouswoman；themeetingswithmenofbusinesswhoexpectedtheircapitaltobringthemplacesandapeerage，aswellaslargeinterest。Thenthehopesrisinginatoweringwaveonlytobreakinfoamontheshoal；
thewonderswroughtinreconcilingadverseinterestswhich，afterworkingtogetherforaweek，fellasunder；theannoyance，athousandtimesrepeated，ofseeingaduncedecoratedwiththeLegionofHonor，andpreferred，thoughasignorantasashop—boy，toamanoftalent。
Then，whatMarcascalledthestratagemsofstupidity——youstrikeaman，andheseemsconvinced，henodshishead——everythingissettled；
nextday，thisindia—rubberball，flattenedforamoment，hasrecovereditselfinthecourseofthenight；itisasfullofwindasever；youmustbeginalloveragain；andyougoontillyouunderstandthatyouarenotdealingwithaman，butwithalumpofgumthatlosesshapeinthesunshine。
Thesethousandannoyances，thisvastwasteofhumanenergyonbarrenspots，thedifficultyofachievinganygood，theincrediblefacilityofdoingmischief；twostronggamesplayedout，twicewon，andthentwicelost；thehatredofastatesman——ablockheadwithapaintedfaceandawig，butinwhomtheworldbelieved——allthesethings，greatandsmall，hadnotcrushed，butforthemomenthaddashedMarcas。Inthedayswhenmoneyhadcomeintohishands，hisfingershadnotclutchedit；hehadallowedhimselftheexquisitepleasureofsendingitalltohisfamily——tohissisters，hisbrothers，hisoldfather。LikeNapoleoninhisfall，heaskedfornomorethanthirtysousaday，andanymanofenergycanearnthirtysousforaday’sworkinParis。
WhenMarcashadfinishedthestoryofhislife，intermingledwithreflections，maxims，andobservations，revealinghimasagreatpolitician，afewquestionsandanswersonbothsidesastotheprogressofaffairsinFranceandinEuropewereenoughtoprovetousthathewasarealstatesman；foramanmaybequicklyandeasilyjudgedwhenhecanbebroughtontothegroundofimmediatedifficulties:thereisacertainShibbolethformenofsuperiortalents，andwewereofthetribeofmodernLeviteswithoutbelongingasyettotheTemple。AsIhavesaid，ourfrivolitycoveredcertainpurposeswhichJustehascarriedout，andwhichIamabouttoexecute。
Whenwehaddonetalking，weallthreewentout，coldasitwas，towalkintheLuxembourggardenstillthedinnerhour。Inthecourseofthatwalkourconversation，gravethroughout，turnedonthepainfulaspectsofthepoliticalsituation。Eachofuscontributedhisremarks，hiscomment，orhisjest，apleasantryoraproverb。ThiswasnolongerexclusivelyadiscussionoflifeonthecolossalscalejustdescribedbyMarcas，thesoldierofpoliticalwarfare。Norwasitthedistressfulmonologueofthewreckednavigator，strandedinagarretintheHotelCorneille；itwasadialogueinwhichtwowell—informedyoungmen，havinggaugedthetimestheylivedin，wereendeavoring，undertheguidanceofamanoftalent，togainsomelightontheirownfutureprospects。
"Why，"askedJuste，"didyounotwaitpatientlyforanopportunity，andimitatetheonlymanwhohasbeenabletokeeptheleadsincetheRevolutionofJulybyholdinghisheadabovewater？"
"HaveInotsaidthatweneverknowwheretherootsofchancelie？
Carrellwasinidenticallythesamepositionastheoratoryouspeakof。Thatgloomyyoungman，ofabitterspirit，hadawholegovernmentinhishead；themanofwhomyouspeakhadnoideabeyondmountingonthecrupperofeveryevent。Ofthetwo，Carrelwasthebetterman。
Well，onebecomesaminister，Carrelremainedajournalist；theincompletebutcraftiermanisliving；Carrelisdead。
"Imaypointoutthatyourmanhasforfifteenyearsbeenmakinghisway，andisbutmakingitstill。Hemayyetbecaughtandcrushedbetweentwocarsfullofintriguesonthehighroadtopower。Hehasnohouse；hehasnotthefavorofthepalacelikeMetternich；nor，likeVillele，theprotectionofacompactmajority。
"Idonotbelievethatthepresentstateofthingswilllasttenyearslonger。Hence，supposingIshouldhavesuchpoorgoodluck，IamalreadytoolatetoavoidbeingsweptawaybythecommotionIforesee。Ishouldneedtobeestablishedinasuperiorposition。"
"Whatcommotion？"askedJuste。
"AUGUST，1830，"saidMarcasinsolemntones，holdingouthishandtowardsParis；"AUGUST，theoffspringofYouthwhichboundthesheaves，andofIntellectwhichhadripenedtheharvest，forgottoprovideforYouthandIntellect。
"Youthwillexplodeliketheboilerofasteam—engine。YouthhasnooutletinFrance；itisgatheringanavalancheofunderratedcapabilities，oflegitimateandrestlessambitions；youngmenarenotmarryingnow；familiescannottellwhattodowiththeirchildren。
Whatwillthethunderclapbethatwillshakedownthesemasses？Iknownot，buttheywillcrashdownintothemidstofthings，andoverthroweverything。Thesearelawsofhydrostaticswhichactonthehumanrace；theRomanEmpirehadfailedtounderstandthem，andtheBarbarichordescamedown。
"TheBarbarichordesnowaretheintelligentclass。Thelawsofoverpressureareatthismomentactingslowlyandsilentlyinourmidst。TheGovernmentisthegreatcriminal；itdoesnotappreciatethetwopowerstowhichitoweseverything；ithasalloweditshandstobetiedbytheabsurditiesoftheContract；itisbound，readytobethevictim。
"LouisXIV。，Napoleon，England，allwereorareeagerforintelligentyouth。InFrancetheyoungarecondemnedbythenewlegislation，bytheblunderingprinciplesofelectiverights，bytheunsoundnessoftheministerialconstitution。
"LookattheelectiveChamber；youwillfindnodeputiesofthirty；
theyouthofRichelieuandofMazarin，ofTurenneandofColbert，ofPittandofSaint—Just，ofNapoleonandofPrinceMetternich，wouldfindnoadmissionthere；Burke，Sheridan，orFoxcouldnotwinseats。
Evenifpoliticalmajorityhadbeenfixedatone—and—twenty，andeligibilityhadbeenrelievedofeverydisablingqualification，theDepartmentswouldhavereturnedtheverysamemembers，mendevoidofpoliticaltalent，unabletospeakwithoutmurderingFrenchgrammar，andamongwhom，intenyears，scarcelyonestatesmanhasbeenfound。
"Thecausesofanimpendingeventmaybeseen，buttheeventitselfcannotbeforetold。AtthismomenttheyouthofFranceisbeingdrivenintoRepublicanism，becauseitbelievesthattheRepublicwouldbringitemancipation。Itwillalwaysremembertheyoungrepresentativesofthepeopleandtheyoungarmyleaders！TheimprudenceoftheGovernmentisonlycomparabletoitsavarice。"
Thatdayleftitsechoesinourlives。MarcasconfirmedusinourresolutiontoleaveFrance，whereyoungmenoftalentandenergyarecrushedundertheweightofsuccessfulcommonplace，envious，andinsatiablemiddleage。
WedinedtogetherintheRuedelaHarpe。WethenceforthfeltforMarcasthemostrespectfulaffection；hegaveusthemostpracticalaidinthesphereofthemind。Thatmankneweverything；hehadstudiedeverything。Forushecasthiseyeoverthewholecivilizedworld，seekingthecountrywhereopeningswouldbeatoncethemostabundantandthemostfavorabletothesuccessofourplans。Heindicatedwhatshouldbethegoalofourstudies；hebidusmakehaste，explainingtousthattimewasprecious，thatemigrationwouldpresentlybegin，andthatitseffectwouldbetodepriveFranceofthecreamofitspowersandofitsyouthfultalent；thattheirintelligence，necessarilysharpened，wouldselectthebestplaces，andthatthegreatthingwastobefirstinthefield。
Thenceforward，weoftensatlateatworkunderthelamp。Ourgenerousinstructorwrotesomenotesforourguidance——twopagesforJusteandthreeforme——fullofinvaluableadvice——thesortofinformationwhichexperiencealonecansupply，suchlandmarksasonlygeniuscanplace。
Inthosepapers，smellingoftobacco，andcoveredwithwritingsovileastobealmosthieroglyphic，therearesuggestionsforafortune，andforecastsofunerringacumen。TherearehintsastocertainpartsofAmericaandAsiawhichhavebeenfullyjustified，bothbeforeandsinceJusteandIcouldsetout。
Marcas，likeus，wasinthemostabjectpoverty。Heearned，indeed，hisdailybread，buthehadneitherlinen，clothes，norshoes。Hedidnotmakehimselfoutanybetterthanhewas；hisdreamshadbeenofluxuryaswellasofpower。HedidnotadmitthatthiswastherealMarcas；heabandonedthisperson，indeed，tothecapricesoflife。
Whathelivedbywasthebreathofambition；hedreamedofrevengewhileblaminghimselfforyieldingtososhallowafeeling。Thetruestatesmanought，aboveallthings，tobesuperiortovulgarpassions；
likethemanofscience。ItwasinthesedaysofdirenecessitythatMarcasseemedtoussogreat——nay，soterrible；therewassomethingawfulinthegazewhichsawanotherworldthanthatwhichstrikestheeyeofordinarymen。Toushewasasubjectofcontemplationandastonishment；fortheyoung——whichofushasnotknownit？——theyounghaveakeencravingtoadmire；theylovetoattachthemselves，andarenaturallyinclinedtosubmittothementheyfeeltobesuperior，astheyaretodevotethemselvestoagreatcause。
Oursurprisewaschieflyrousedbyhisindifferenceinmattersofsentiment；womenhadnoplaceinhislife。Whenwespokeofthismatter，aperennialthemeofconversationamongFrenchmen，hesimplyremarked:
"Gownscosttoomuch。"
HesawthelookthatpassedbetweenJusteandme，andwenton:
"Yes，fartoomuch。Thewomanyoubuy——andsheistheleastexpensive——takesagreatdealofmoney。Thewomanwhogivesherselftakesallyourtime！Womanextinguisheseveryenergy，everyambition。Napoleonreducedhertowhatsheshouldbe。Fromthatpointofview，hereallywasgreat。HedidnotindulgesuchruinousfanciesofLouisXIV。andLouisXV。；atthesametimehecouldloveinsecret。"
Wediscoveredthat，likePitt，whomadeEnglandiswife，MarcasboreFranceinhisheart；heidolizedhiscountry；hehadnotathoughtthatwasnotforhisnativeland。Hisfuryatfeelingthathehadinhishandstheremedyfortheevilswhichsodeeplysaddenedhim，andcouldnotapplyit，ateintohissoul，andthisragewasincreasedbytheinferiorityofFranceatthattime，ascomparedwithRussiaandEngland。Franceathird—ratepower！Thiscrycameupagainandagaininhisconversation。Theintestinaldisordersofhiscountryhadenteredintohissoul。AllthecontestsbetweentheCourtandtheChamber，showing，astheydid，incessantchangeandconstantvacillation，whichmustinjuretheprosperityofthecountry，hescoffedatasbackstairssquabbles。
"Thisispeaceatthecostofthefuture，"saidhe。
OneeveningJusteandIwereatwork，sittinginperfectsilence。
Marcashadjustrisentotoilathiscopying，forhehadrefusedourassistanceinspiteofourmostearnestentreaties。Wehadofferedtotakeitinturnstocopyabatchofmanuscript，sothatheshoulddobutathirdofhisdistastefultask；hehadbeenquiteangry，andwehadceasedtoinsist。
Weheardthesoundofgentlemanlybootsinthepassage，andraisedourheads，lookingateachother。TherewasatapatMarcas’door——henevertookthekeyoutofthelock——andweheardtheheroanswer:
"Comein。"Then——"What，youhere，monsieur？"
"I，myself，"repliedtheretiredminister。
ItwastheDiocletianofthisunknownmartyr。
Forsometimeheandourneighborconversedinanundertone。SuddenlyMarcas，whosevoicehadbeenheardbutrarely，asisnaturalinadialogueinwhichtheapplicantbeginsbysettingforththesituation，brokeoutloudlyinreplytosomeofferwehadnotoverheard。
"Youwouldlaughatmeforafool，"criedhe，"ifItookyouatyourword。Jesuitsareathingofthepast，butJesuitismiseternal。YourMachiavelismandyourgenerosityareequallyhollowanduntrustworthy。
Youcanmakeyourowncalculations，butwhocancalculateonyou？YourCourtismadeupofowlswhofearthelight，ofoldmenwhoquakeinthepresenceoftheyoung，orwhosimplydisregardthem。TheGovernmentisformedonthesamepatternastheCourt。YouhavehunteduptheremainsoftheEmpire，astheRestorationenlistedtheVoltigeursofLouisXIV。
"Hithertotheevasionsofcowardicehavebeentakenforthemanoeuvringofability；butdangerswillcome，andtheyoungergenerationwillriseastheydidin1790。Theydidgrandthingsthen。
——Justnowyouchangeministriesasasickmanturnsinhisbed；theseoscillationsbetraytheweaknessoftheGovernment。Youworkonanunderhandsystemofpolicywhichwillbeturnedagainstyou，forFrancewillbetiredofyourshuffling。Francewillnottellyouthatsheistiredofyou；amanneverknowswhencehisruincomes；itisthehistorian’stasktofindout；butyouwillundoubtedlyperishastherewardofnothavingtheyouthofFrancetolendyouitsstrengthandenergy；forhavinghatedreallycapablemen；fornothavinglovinglychosenthemfromthisnoblegeneration；forhavinginallcasespreferredmediocrity。
"Youhavecometoaskmysupport，butyouareanatominthatdecrepitheapwhichismadehideousbyself—interest，whichtremblesandsquirms，and，becauseitissomean，triestomakeFrancemeantoo。Mystrongnature，myideas，wouldworklikepoisoninyou；twiceyouhavetrickedme，twicehaveIoverthrownyou。Ifweuniteathirdtime，itmustbeaveryseriousmatter。IshouldkillmyselfifIallowedmyselftobeduped；forIshouldbetoblame，notyou。"
Thenweheardthehumblestentreaties，themostferventadjuration，nottodeprivethecountryofsuchsuperiortalents。Themanspokeofpatriotism，andMarcasutteredasignificant"/Ouh！ouh！/"Helaughedathiswould—bepatron。Thenthestatesmanwasmoreexplicit；hebowedtothesuperiorityofhiserewhilecounselor；hepledgedhimselftoenableMarcastoremaininoffice，tobeelecteddeputy；thenheofferedhimahighappointment，promisinghimthathe，thespeaker，wouldthenceforthbethesubordinateofamanwhosesubalternhewasonlyworthytobe。Hewasinthenewly—formedministry，andhewouldnotreturntopowerunlessMarcashadapostinproportiontohismerit；hehadalreadymadeitacondition，Marcashadbeenregardedasindispensable。
Marcasrefused。
"Ihaveneverbeforebeeninapositiontokeepmypromises；hereisanopportunityofprovingmyselffaithfultomyword，andyoufailme。"
TothisMarcasmadenoreply。Thebootswereagainaudibleinthepassageonthewaytothestairs。
"Marcas！Marcas！"webothcried，rushingintohisroom。"Whyrefuse？
Hereallymeantit。Hisoffersareveryhandsome；atanyrate，gotoseetheministers。"
Inatwinkling，wehadgivenMarcasahundredreasons。Theminister’svoicewassincere；withoutseeinghim，wehadfeltsurethathewashonest。
"Ihavenoclothes，"repliedMarcas。
"Relyonus，"saidJuste，withaglanceatme。
Marcashadthecouragetotrustus；alightflashedinhiseye，hepushedhisfingersthroughhishair，liftingitfromhisforeheadwithagesturethatshowedsomeconfidenceinhisluckandwhenhehadthusunveiledhisface，sotospeak，wesawinhimamanabsolutelyunknowntous——Marcassublime，Marcasinhispower！Hismindwasinitselement——thebirdrestoredtothefreeair，thefishtothewater，thehorsegallopingacrosstheplain。
Itwastransient。Hisbrowcloudedagain，hehad，itwouldseem，avisionofhisfate。Haltingdoubthadfollowedcloseontheheelsofwhite—wingedhope。
Welefthimtohimself。
"Now，then，"saidItotheDoctor，"wehavegivenourword；howarewetokeepit？"
"Wewillsleepuponit，"saidJuste，"andto—morrowmorningwewilltalkitover。"
NextmorningwewentforawalkintheLuxembourg。
Wehadhadtimetothinkovertheincidentofthepastnight，andwerebothequallysurprisedatthelackofaddressshownbyMarcasintheminordifficultiesoflife——he，amanwhoneversawanydifficultiesinthesolutionofthehardestproblemsofabstractorpracticalpolitics。Buttheseelevatedcharacterscanallbetrippeduponagrainofsand，andwill，likethegrandestenterprise，missfireforwantofathousandfrancs。ItistheoldstoryofNapoleon，who，forlackofapairofboots，didnotsetoutforIndia。
"Well，whathaveyouhitupon？"askedJuste。
"Ihavethoughtofawaytogethimacompleteoutfit。"
"Where？"
"FromHumann。"
"How？"
"Humann，myboy，nevergoestohiscustomers——hiscustomersgotohim；
sothathedoesnotknowwhetherIamrichorpoor。HeonlyknowsthatIdresswellandlookdecentintheclotheshemakesforme。Ishalltellhimthatanuncleofminehasdroppedinfromthecountry，andthathisindifferenceinmattersofdressisquiteadiscredittomeintheuppercircleswhereIamtryingtofindawife。——ItwillnotbeHumannifhesendsinhisbillbeforethreemonths。"
TheDoctorthoughtthisacapitalideaforavaudeville，butpoorenoughinreallife，anddoubtedmysuccess。ButIgiveyoumywordofhonor，HumanndressedMarcas，and，beinganartist，turnedhimoutasapoliticalpersonageoughttobedressed。
JustelentMarcastwohundredfrancsingold，theproductoftwowatchesboughtoncredit，andpawnedattheMont—de—Piete。Formypart，Ihadsaidnothingofthesixshirtsandallnecessarylinen，whichcostmenomorethanthepleasureofaskingforthemfromaforewomaninashopwhomIhadtreatedtoMusard’sduringthecarnival。
Marcasacceptedeverything，thankingusnomorethanheought。Heonlyinquiredastothemeansbywhichwehadgotpossessionofsuchriches，andwemadehimlaughforthelasttime。WelookedonourMarcasasshipowners，whentheyhaveexhaustedtheircreditandeveryresourceattheircommanditfitoutavessel，mustlookonitasitputsouttosea。
HereCharleswassilent；heseemedcrushedbyhismemories。
"Well，"criedtheaudience，"andwhathappened？"
"Iwilltellyouinafewwords——forthisisnotromance——itishistory。"
WesawnomoreofMarcas。Theadministrationlastedforthreemonths；
itfellattheendofthesession。ThenMarcascamebacktous，workedtodeath。Hehadsoundedthecraterofpower；hecameawayfromitwiththebeginningsofbrainfever。Thediseasemaderapidprogress；
wenursedhim。Justeatoncecalledinthechiefphysicianofthehospitalwherehewasworkingashouse—surgeon。Iwasthenlivingaloneinourroom，andIwasthemostattentiveattendant；butcareandsciencealikewereinvain。BythemonthofJanuary，1838，Marcashimselffeltthathehadbutafewdaystolive。
Themanwhosesoulandbrainhehadbeenforsixmonthsneverevensenttoinquireafterhim。MarcasexpressedthegreatestcontemptfortheGovernment；heseemedtodoubtwhatthefateofFrancemightbe，anditwasthisdoubtthathadmadehimill。Hehad，hethought，detectedtreasonintheheartofpower，nottangible，seizabletreason，theresultoffacts，butthetreasonofasystem，thesubordinationofnationalintereststoselfishends。Hisbeliefinthedegradationofthecountrywasenoughtoaggravatehiscomplaint。
Imyselfwaswitnesstotheproposalsmadetohimbyoneoftheleadersoftheantagonisticpartywhichhehadfoughtagainst。Hishatredofthemenhehadtriedtoservewassovirulent，thathewouldgladlyhavejoinedthecoalitionthatwasabouttobeformedamongcertainambitiousspiritswho，atleast，hadoneideaincommon——thatofshakingofftheyokeoftheCourt。ButMarcascouldonlyreplytotheenvoyinthewordsoftheHoteldeVille:
"Itistoolate！"
Marcasdidnotleavemoneyenoughtopayforhisfuneral。JusteandI
hadgreatdifficultyinsavinghimfromtheignominyofapauper’sbier，andwealonefollowedthecoffinofZ。Marcas，whichwasdroppedintothecommongraveofthecemeteryofMont—Parnasse。
Welookedsadlyateachotheraswelistenedtothistale，thelastweheardfromthelipsofCharlesRabourdinthedaybeforeheembarkedatleHavreonabrigthatwastoconveyhimtotheislandsofMalay。WeallknewmorethanoneMarcas，morethanonevictimofhisdevotiontoaparty，repaidbybetrayalorneglect。
LESJARDIES，May1840。