"Donotstayhere，monsieur，"saidCorentin。"Gointomystudy；Iwillcometoyoupresently。"
　　Afewminuteslater，aftergivingLydieintothecareofKatteandBruneau，anddespatchingPerracheforDoctorBianchon，CorentinrejoinedlaPeyrade。
　　"Youseenow，monsieur，"hesaidwithsolemnity，"thatinpursuingwithasortofpassiontheideaofthismarriage，Iwasfollowing，inasense，thewaysofGod。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidlaPeyrade，withcompunction，"Iwillconfesstoyou——"
　　"Useless，"saidCorentin；"youcantellmenothingthatIdonotknow；
　　I，onthecontrary，havemuchtotellyou。OldPeyrade，youruncle，inthehopeofearningaPOTforthisdaughterwhomheidolized，enteredintoadangerousprivateenterprise，thenatureofwhichIneednotexplain。Inithemadeenemies；enemieswhostoppedatnothing，——
　　murder，poison，rape。Toparalyzeyouruncle’sactionbyattackinghiminhisdearestspot，Lydiewas，notabducted，butenticedfromherhomeandtakentoahouseapparentlyrespectable，wherefortendaysshewaskeptconcealed。Shewasnotmuchalarmedbythisdetention，beingtoldthatitwasdoneatherfather’swish，andshespenthertimewithhermusic——youremember，monsieur，howshesang？"
　　"Oh！"exclaimedlaPeyrade，coveringhisfacewithhishands。
　　"ItoldyouyesterdaythatyoumightperhapshavemoreuponyourconsciencethantheThuillierhouse。Butyouwereyoung；youhadjustcomefromyourprovince，withthatbrutality，thatfrenzyofSouthernbloodinyourveinswhichflingsitselfuponsuchanoccasion。
　　Besides，yourrelationshipbecameknowntothosewhowerepreparingtheruinofthisnewClarissaHarlowe，andIamwillingtobelievethananablerandbettermanthanyoumightnothaveescapedtheentanglementintowhichyoufell。Happily，Providencehasgrantedthatthereisnothingabsolutelyirreparableinthishorriblehistory。Thesamepoison，accordingtotheusethatismadeofit，maygiveeitherdeathorhealth。"
　　"But，monsieur，"saidlaPeyrade，"shallInotalwaysbetoheranobjectofhorror？"
　　"Thedoctor，monsieur，"saidKatte，openingthedoor。
　　"HowisMademoiselleLydie？"askedlaPeyrade，eagerly。
　　"Verycalm，"repliedKatte。"Justnow，whenweputhertobed，——thoughshedidnotwanttogo，sayingshefeltwell，——Itookherthebundleoflinen，butshetoldmetotakeitaway，andaskedwhatImeanthertodowithit。"
　　"Yousee，"saidCorentin，graspingtheProvencal’shand，"youarethelanceofAchilles。"
　　AndhelefttheroomwithKattetoreceiveDoctorBianchon。
　　Leftalone，Theodosewasapreytothoughtswhichmayperhapsbeimagined。Afterawhilethedooropened，andBruneau，theoldvalet，usheredinCerizet。SeeinglaPeyrade，thelatterexclaimed：——
　　"Ha！ha！Iknewit！IknewyouwouldendbyseeingduPortail。Andthemarriage，——howdoesthatcomeon？"
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"askedlaPeyrade。
　　"Somethingthatconcernsyou；orrather，somethingthatwemustdotogether。DuPortail，whoistoobusytoattendtobusinessjustnow，hassentmeinheretoseeyou，andconsultastothebestmeansofputtingaspokeinThuillier’selection；itseemsthatthegovernmentisdeterminedtopreventhiswinningit。Haveyouanyideasaboutit？"
　　"No，"repliedlaPeyrade；"andIdon’tfeelinthemoodjustnowtobeimaginative。"
　　"Well，here’sthesituation，"saidCerizet。"Thegovernmenthasanothercandidate，whichitdoesn’tyetproduce，becausetheministerialnegotiationswithhimhavebeenratherdifficult。DuringthistimeThuillier’schanceshavebeenmakingheadway。Minard，onwhomtheycountedtocreateadiversion，sits，thestupidfool，inhiscorner；theseizureofthatpamphlethasgivenyourblockheadofaprotegeacertainperfumeofpopularity。Inshort，theministryareafraidhe’llbeelected，andnothingcouldbemoredisagreeabletothem。Pompousimbeciles，likeThuillier，arehorriblyembarrassingintheOpposition；theyarepitcherswithouthandles；youcan’ttakeholdofthemanywhere。"
　　"MonsieurCerizet，"saidlaPeyrade，beginningtoassumeaprotectingtone，andwishingtodiscoverhislateassociate’splaceinCorentin’sconfidence，"youseemtoknowagooddealaboutthesecretintentionsofthegovernment；haveyoufoundyourwaytoacertaindeskintheruedeGrenelle？"
　　"No。AllthatItellyou，"saidCerizet，"IgetfromduPortail。"
　　"Ahca！"saidlaPeyrade，loweringhisvoice，"whoISduPortail？Youseemtohaveknownhimforsometime。Amanofyourforceoughttohavediscoveredtherealcharacterofamanwhoseemstometoberathermysterious。"
　　"Myfriend，"repliedCerizet，"duPortailisaprettystrongman。He’sanoldslyboots，whohashadsomepost，Ifancy，intheadministrationofthenationaldomain，orsomethingofthatkind，undergovernment；
　　inwhich，Ithink，hemusthavebeenemployedinthedepartmentssuppressedundertheEmpire。"
　　"Yes？"saidlaPeyrade。
　　"That’swhereIthinkhemadehismoney，"continuedCerizet；"andbeingashrewdoldfellow，andhavinganaturaldaughtertomarry，hehasconcoctedthisphilanthropictaleofherbeingthedaughterofanoldfriendnamedPeyrade；andyournamebeingthesamemayhavegivenhimtheideaoffasteninguponyou——for，afterall，hehastomarryhertosomebody。"
　　"Yes，that’sallverywell；buthiscloserelationswiththegovernment，andtheinteresthetakesinelections，howdoyouexplainallthat？"
　　"Naturallyenough，"repliedCerizet。"DuPortailisamanwholovesmoney，andlikestohandleit；hehasdoneRastignac，thatgreatmanipulatorofelections，whois，Ithink，hiscompatriot，severalsignalservicesasanamateur；Rastignac，inreturn，giveshiminformation，obtainedthroughNucingen，whichenableshimtogambleattheBourse。"
　　"Didhehimselftellyouallthis？"askedlaPeyrade。
　　"Whatdoyoutakemefor？"returnedCerizet。"Withthatworthyoldfellow，fromwhomIhavealreadywormedapromiseofthirtythousandfrancs，Iplaytheninny；Iflattenmyselftonothing。ButI’vemadeBruneautalk，thatoldvaletofhis。Youcansafelyallyyourselftohisfamily，mydearfellow；duPortailispowerfullyrich；he’llgetyoumadesub—prefectsomewhere；andthencetoaprefectureandafortuneisbutonestep。"
　　"Thanksfortheinformation，"saidlaPeyrade；"atleast，Ishallknowonwhichfoottohop。Butyouyourself，howcameyoutoknowhim？"
　　"Oh！that’squiteahistory；bymyhelphewasabletogetbackalotofdiamondswhichhadbeenstolenfromhim。"
　　AtthismomentCorentinenteredtheroom。
　　"Alliswell，"hesaidtolaPeyrade。"Therearesignsofreturningreason。Bianchon，towhomIhavetoldall，wishestoconferwithyou；
　　therefore，mydearMonsieurCerizet，wewillpostponeuntilthisevening，ifyouarewilling，ourlittlestudyovertheThuillierelection。"
　　"Well，sohereyouhavehim，atlast！"saidCerizet，slappinglaPeyrade’sshoulder。
　　"Yes，"saidCorentin，"andyouknowwhatIpromised；youmayrelyonthat。"
　　Cerizetdepartedjoyful。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　CHECKMATETOTHUILLIER
　　Thedayafterthatevening，whenCorentin，laPeyrade，andCerizetweretohavehadtheirconsultationinreferencetotheattackonThuillier’scandidacy，thelatterwasdiscussingwithhissisterBrigittetheletterinwhichTheodosedeclinedthehandofCeleste，andhismindseemedparticularlytodwellonthepostscriptwhereitwasintimatedthatlaPeyrademightnotcontinuetheeditorofthe"EchodelaBievre。"AtthismomentHenri，the"maledomestic，"
　　enteredtheroomtoaskifhismasterwouldreceiveMonsieurCerizet。
　　Thuillier’sfirstimpulsewastodenyhimselftothatunwelcomevisitor。Then，thinkingbetterofit，hereflectedthatiflaPeyradesuddenlylefthiminthelurch，Cerizetmightpossiblyproveapreciousresource。Consequently，heorderedHenritoshowhimin。Hismanner，however，wasextremelycold，andinsomesortexpectant。AsforCerizet，hepresentedhimselfwithouttheslightestembarrassmentandwiththeairofamanwhohadcalculatedalltheconsequencesofthestephewastaking。
　　"Well，mydearmonsieur，"hebegan，"IsupposebythistimeyouhavebeenpostedastotheSieurlaPeyrade。"
　　"Whatmayyoumeanbythat？"saidThuillier，stiffly。
　　"Well，theman，"repliedCerizet，"who，afterintriguingtomarryyourgoddaughter，breaksoffthemarriageabruptly——ashewill，beforelong，breakthatlion’s—sharecontracthemadeyousignabouthiseditorship——can’tbe，Ishouldsuppose，theobjectofthesameblindconfidenceyouformerlyreposedinhim。"
　　"Ah！"saidThuillier，hastily，"thendoyouknowanythingaboutlaPeyrade’sintentionofleavingthenewspaper？"
　　"No，"saidtheother；"onthetermsInowamwithhim，youcanreadilybelievewedon’tseeeachother；stilllessshouldIreceivehisconfidences。ButIdrawtheinductionfromthewell—knowncharacteroftheperson，andyoumaybesurethatwhenhefindsitforhisinteresttoleaveyou，he’llthrowyouawaylikeanoldcoat——I’vepassedthatway，andIspeakfromexperience。"
　　"Thenyoumusthavehadsomedifficultieswithhimbeforeyoujoinedmypaper？"saidThuillier，interrogatively。
　　"Parbleu！"repliedCerizet；"theaffairofthishousewhichhehelpedyoutobuywasmine；Istartedthathare。Hewastoputmeinrelationwithyou，andmakemetheprincipaltenantofthehouse。Buttheunfortunateaffairofthatbidding—ingavehimachancetoknockmeoutofeverythingandgetalltheprofitsforhimself。"
　　"Profits！"exclaimedThuillier。"Idon’tseethathegotanythingoutofthattransaction，exceptthemarriagewhichhenowrefuses——"
　　"But，"interruptedCerizet，"there’sthetenthousandfrancshegotoutofyouonpretenceofthecrosswhichyouneverreceived，andthetwenty—fivethousandheowestoMadameLambert，forwhichyouwentsecurity，andwhichyouwillsoonhavetopaylikeagoodfellow。"
　　"What’sthisIhear？"criedBrigitte，upinarms；"twenty—fivethousandfrancsforwhichyouhavegivensecurity？"
　　"Yes，mademoiselle，"interposedCerizet；"behindthatsumwhichthiswomanhadlenthimtherewasamystery，andifIhadnotlaidmyhandonthetrueexplanation，therewouldcertainlyhavebeenaverydirtyendingtoit。LaPeyradewascleverenoughnotonlytowhitewashhimselfinMonsieurThuillier’seyes，buttogethimtosecurethedebt。"
　　"But，"saidThuillier，"howdoyouknowthatIdidgivesecurityforthatdebt，ifyouhavenotseenhimsincethen？"
　　"Iknowitfromthewomanherself，whotellsthewholestorynowsheiscertainofbeingpaid。"
　　"Well，"saidBrigittetoherbrother，"aprettybusinessyouareengagedin！"
　　"Mademoiselle，"saidCerizet，"IonlymeanttowarnMonsieurThuillieralittle。Ithinkmyselfthatyouaresuretobepaid。Withoutknowingtheexactparticularsofthisnewmarriage，Iamcertainthefamilywouldneverallowhimtooweyoutosuchmortifyingdebts；ifnecessary，Ishouldbeverygladtointervene。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidThuillier，stiffly，"thankingyouforyourofficiousintervention，permitmetosaythatitsurprisesmealittle，forthemannerinwhichwepartedwouldnothaveallowedmetohopeit。"
　　"Ahca！"saidCerizet；"youdon’tthinkIwasangrywithyouforthat，doyou？Ipitiedyou，thatwasall。Isawyouunderthespell，andI
　　saidtomyself：’LeavehimtolearnlaPeyradebyexperience。’Iknewverywellthatthedayofjusticewoulddawnforme，andbeforelong，too。LaPeyradeisamanwhodoesn’tmakeyouwaitforhisquestionableproceedings。"
　　"Allowmetosay，"remarkedThuillier，"thatIdonotconsidertheruptureofthemarriagewehadproposedaquestionableproceeding。Thematterwasarranged，Imaysay，bymutualconsent。"
　　"Andthetrickheisgoingtoplayyoubyleavingthepaperinthelurch，andthedebthehassaddledyouwith，whatarethey？"
　　"MonsieurCerizet，"continuedThuillier，stillholdinghimselfonthereserve，"asIhavesaidmorethanoncetolaPeyrade，nomanisindispensable；andiftheeditorshipofmypaperbecomesvacant，I
　　feelconfidentthatIshallatoncemeetwithpersonsveryeagertooffermetheirservices。"
　　"Isitformeyousaythat？"askedCerizet。"Well，youhaven’thitthenail；ifyoudidmethehonortowantmyservicesitwouldbeimpossibleformetograntthem。Ihavelongbeendisgustedwithjournalism。IletlaPeyrade，Ihardlyknowwhy，persuademetomakethiscampaignwithyou；itdidn’tturnouthappily，andIhavevowedtomyselftohavenomoretodowithnewspapers。ItwasaboutanothermatteraltogetherthanIcametospeaktoyou。"
　　"Ah！"saidThuillier。
　　"Yes，"continuedCerizet，"rememberingthebusiness—likemannerinwhichyoumanagedtheaffairofthishouseinwhichyoudomethehonortoreceiveme，IthoughtIcouldnotdobetterthantocallyourattentiontoamatterofthesamekindwhichIhavejustnowinhand。
　　ButIshallnotdoaslaPeyradedid，——makeabargainforthehandofyourgoddaughter，andprofessgreatfriendshipanddevotiontoyoupersonally。Thisispurelybusiness，andIexpecttomakemyprofitoutofit。Now，asIstilldesiretobecometheprincipaltenantofthishouse，——thelettingofwhichmustbeacareandadisappointmenttomademoiselle，forIsawasIcamealongthattheshopswerestillunrented，——Ithinkthatthisleasetome，ifyouwillmakeit，mightbereckonedintomyshareoftheprofits。Yousee，monsieur，thattheobjectofmyvisithasnothingtodowiththenewspaper。"
　　"Whatisthisnewaffair？"saidBrigitte；"that’sthefirstthingtoknow。"
　　"ItrelatestoafarminBeauce，whichhasjustbeensoldforasong，anditisplacedinmyhandstoresell，atanadvance，butasmallone；youcouldreallybuyit，asthesayingis，forabitofbread。"
　　AndCerizetwentontoexplainthewholemechanismoftheaffair，whichweneednotrelatehere，asnoonebutBrigittewouldtakeanyinterestinit。Thestatementwasclearandprecise，andittookcloseholdontheoldmaid’smind。EvenThuillierhimself，inspiteofhisinwarddistrust，wasobligedtoownthattheaffairhadalltheappearanceofagoodspeculation。
　　"Only，"saidBrigitte，"wemustfirstseethefarmourselves。"
　　This，thereaderwillremember，washeranswertolaPeyradewhenhefirstproposedthepurchaseofthehouseattheMadeleine。
　　"Nothingiseasierthanthat，"saidCerizet。"Imyselfwanttoseeit，andIhavebeenintendingtomakealittleexcursionthere。Ifyoulike，I’llbeatyourdoorthisafternoonwithapost—chaise，andto—morrowmorning，veryearly，wecanexaminethefarm，breakfastatsomeinnnearby，andbebackintimefordinner。"
　　"Apost—chaise！"saidBrigitte，"that’sverylordly；whynottakethediligence？"
　　"Diligencesaresouncertain，"repliedCerizet；"youneverknowatwhattimetheywillgettoaplace。Butyouneednotthinkabouttheexpense，forIshouldotherwisegoalone，andIamonlytoohappytoofferyoutwoseatsinmycarriage。"
　　Tomisers，smallgainsareoftendeterminingcausesingreatmatters；
　　afteralittleresistance"proforma，"Brigitteendedbyacceptingtheproposal，andthreehourslaterthetriowereontheroadtoChartres，CerizethavingadvisedThuilliernottoletlaPeyradeknowofhisabsence，lesthemighttakesomeunfairadvantageofit。
　　Thenextday，byfiveo’clock，thepartyhadreturned，andthebrotherandsister，whokepttheiropinionstothemselvesinpresenceofCerizet，werebothagreedthatthepurchasewasagoodone。Theyhadfoundthesoilofthebestquality，thebuildingsinperfectrepair，thecattlelookedsoundandhealthy；inshort，thisideaofbecomingthemistressofruralpropertyseemedtoBrigittethefinalconsecrationofopulence。
　　"Minard，"sheremarked，"hasonlyatown—houseandinvestedcapital，whereasweshallhaveallthatandacountry—placebesides；onecan’tbereallyrichwithoutit。"
　　Thuillierwasnotsufficientlyunderthecharmofthatdream——therealizationofwhichwas，inanycase，quitedistant——toforget，evenforamoment，the"EchodelaBievre"andhiscandidacy。Nosoonerhadhereachedhomethanheaskedforthemorning’spaper。
　　"Ithasnotcome，"saidthe"maledomestic。"
　　"That’safinedistribution，wheneventheownerofthepaperisnotserved！"criedThuillier，discontentedly。
　　Althoughitwasnearlydinner—time，andafterhisjourneyhewouldmuchratherhavetakenabaththanrushtotherueSaint—Dominique，Thuillierorderedacabanddroveatoncetotheofficeofthe"Echo。"
　　Thereafreshdisappointmentmethim。Thepaper"wasmade，"astheysay，andalltheemployeeshaddeparted，evenlaPeyrade。AsforCoffinet，whowasnottobefoundathispostofoffice—boy，noryetathisotherpostofporter，hehadgone"ofanerrand，"hiswifesaid，takingthekeyoftheclosetinwhichtheremainingcopiesofthepaperwerelockedup。Impossible，therefore，toprocurethenumberwhichtheunfortunateproprietorhadcomesofartofetch。
　　TodescribeThuillier’sindignationwouldbeimpossible。Hemarchedupanddowntheroom，talkingaloudtohimself，aspeopledoinmomentsofexcitement。
　　"I’llturnthemallout！"hecried。Andweareforcedtoomittherestofthefuriousobjurgation。
　　Asheendedhisanathemaarapwasheardonthedoor。
　　"Comein！"saidThuillier，inatonethatdepictedhiswrathandhisfranticimpatience。
　　Thedooropened，andMinardrushedprecipitatelyintohisarms。
　　"Mygood，myexcellentfriend！"criedthemayoroftheeleventharrondissement，concludinghisembracewithaheartyshakeofthehand。
　　"Why！whatisit？"saidThuillier，unabletocomprehendthewarmthofthisdemonstration。
　　"Ah！mydearfriend，"continuedMinard，"suchanadmirableproceeding！
　　reallychivalrous！mostdisinterested！Theeffect，Iassureyou，isquitestupendousinthearrondissement。"
　　"Butwhat，Isay？"criedThuillier，impatiently。
　　"Thearticle，thewholeaction，"continuedMinard，"sonoble，soelevated！"
　　"Butwhatarticle？whataction？"saidtheproprietorofthe"Echo，"
　　gettingquitebesidehimself。
　　"Thearticleofthismorning，"saidMinard。
　　"Thearticleofthismorning？"
　　"Ahca！didyouwriteitwhenyouwereasleep；or，likeMonsieurJourdaindoingprose，doyoudoheroismwithoutknowingit？"
　　"I！Ihaven’twrittenanyarticle！"criedThuillier。"IhavebeenawayfromParisforaday，andIdon’tevenknowwhatisinthismorning’spaper；andtheoffice—boyisnotheretogivemeacopy。"
　　"Ihaveone，"saidMinard，pullingthemuchdesiredpaperfromhispocket。"Ifthearticleisnotyearsyouhavecertainlyinspiredit；
　　inanycase，thedeedisdone。"
　　ThuillierhurriedlyunfoldedthesheetMinardhadgivenhim，anddevouredratherthanreadthefollowingarticle：——
　　Longenoughhastheproprietorofthisregeneratedjournalsubmittedwithoutcomplaintandwithoutreplytothecowardlyinsinuationswithwhichavenalpressinsultsallcitizenswho，strongintheirconvictions，refusetopassbeneaththeCaudineForksofpower。Longenoughhasaman，whohasalreadygivenproofsofdevotionandabnegationintheimportantfunctionsoftheaedilityofParis，allowedthesesheetstocallhimambitiousandself—seeking。MonsieurJeromeThuillier，stronginhisdignity，hassufferedsuchcoarseattackstopasshimwithcontempt。Encouragedbythisdisdainfulsilence，thestipendiariesofthepresshavedaredtowritethatthisjournal，aworkofconvictionandofthemostdisinterestedpatriotism，wasbutthestepping—stoneofaman，thespeculationofaseekerforelection。
　　MonsieurJeromeThuillierhasheldhimselfimpassiblebeforetheseshamefulimputationsbecausejusticeandtrutharepatient，andhebidedhistimetoscotchthereptile。Thattimehascome。
　　"ThatdeuceofaPeyrade！"saidThuillier，stoppingshort；"howhedoestouchitoff！"
　　"Itismagnificent！"criedMinard。
　　Readingaloud，Thuilliercontinued：——
　　Everyone，friendsandenemiesalike，canbearwitnessthatMonsieurJeromeThuillierhasdonenothingtoseekacandidacywhichwasofferedtohimspontaneously。
　　"That’sevident，"saidThuillier，interruptinghimself。Thenheresumed：——
　　But，sincehissentimentsaresoodiouslymisrepresented，andhisintentionssofalselytravestied，MonsieurJeromeThuillierowesittohimself，andabovealltothegreatnationalpartyofwhichheisthehumblestsoldier，togiveanexamplewhichshallconfoundthevilesycophantsofpower。
　　"Itisfine，thewaylaPeyradeposesme！"saidThuillier，pausingoncemoreinhisreading。"Iseenowwhyhedidn’tsendmethepaper；
　　hewantedtoenjoymysurprise——’confoundthevilesycophantsofpower！’howfinethatis！"
　　Afterwhichreflection，hecontinued：——
　　MonsieurThuillierwassofarfromfoundingthisjournalofdynasticoppositiontosupportandpromotehiselectionthat，attheverymomentwhentheprospectsofthatelectionseemmostfavorabletohimselfandmostdisastroustohisrivals，heheredeclarespublicly，andinthemostformal，absolute，andirrevocablemannerthatheRENOUNCESHISCANDIDACY。
　　"What？"criedThuillier，thinkinghehadreadwrong，orhadmisunderstoodwhatheread。
　　"Goon！goon！"saidthemayoroftheeleventh。
　　Then，asThuillier，withabewilderedair，seemednotdisposedtocontinuehisreading，Minardtookthepaperfromhishandsandreadtherestofthearticlehimself，beginningwheretheotherhadleftoff：——
　　Renounceshiscandidacy；andhestronglyurgestheelectorstotransfertoMonsieurMinard，mayoroftheeleventharrondissementandhisfriendandcolleagueinhismunicipalfunctions，allthevoteswithwhichtheyseemedabouttohonorhim。
　　"Butthisisinfamous！"criedThuillier，recoveringhisspeech；"youhaveboughtthatJesuitlaPeyrade。"
　　"So，"saidMinard，stupefiedbyThuillier’sattitude，"thearticlewasnotagreeduponbetweenyou？"
　　"Thewretchhasprofitedbymyabsencetoslipitintothepaper；I
　　understandnowwhyhepreventedacopyfromreachingmeto—day。"
　　"Mydearfriend，"saidMinard，"whatyoutellmewillseemincredibletothepublic。"
　　"Itellyouitistreachery；itisanabominabletrap。Renouncemycandidacy！——whyshouldI？"
　　"Youunderstand，mydearfriend，"saidMinard，"thatIamtrulysorryifyourconfidencehasbeenabused，butIhavejustissuedmycircularmanifesto；thedieiscast，andlucktotheluckynow。"
　　"Leaveme，"saidThuillier；"itisacomedyforwhichyouhavepaid。"
　　"MonsieurThuillier，"saidMinard，inathreateningvoice，"Iadviseyounottorepeatthosewords，unlessyouarereadytogivemesatisfactionforthem。"
　　HappilyforThuillier，who，wemayremember，hadmadehisprofessionoffaithastociviccouragesometimebefore，hewasrelievedfromansweringbyCoffinet，whonowopenedthedooroftheeditorialsanctum，andannounced：——
　　"Messieurstheelectorsofthetwelftharrondissement。"
　　Thearrondissementwasrepresentedonthisoccasionbyfivepersons。
　　Anapothecary，chairmanofthedeputation，proceededtoaddressThuillierinthefollowingterms：——
　　"Wehavecome，monsieur，aftertakingcognizanceofanarticleinsertedthismorninginthe’EchodelaBievre，’toinquireofyouwhatmaybepreciselytheoriginandbearingofthatarticle；thinkingitincrediblethat，havingsolicitedoursuffrages，youshould，ontheeveofthiselection，andfromamostmistakenpuritanism，havecastdisorderanddisunionintoourranks，andprobablyhavecausedthetriumphoftheministerialcandidate。Acandidatedoesnotbelongtohimself；hebelongstotheelectorswhohavepromisedtohonorhimwiththeirvotes。But，"continuedtheorator，castinghiseyeatMinard，"thepresenceintheseprecinctsofthecandidatewhomyouhavegoneoutofyourwaytorecommendtous，indicatesthatbetweenyouandhimthereisconnivance；andIhavenoneedtoaskwhoisbeingheredeceived。"
　　"No，messieurs，no，"saidThuillier；"Ihavenotrenouncedmycandidacy。Thatarticlewaswrittenandprintedwithoutmyknowledgeorconsent。To—morrowyouwillseethedenialofitinthesamepaper，andyouwillalsolearnthattheinfamouspersonwhohasbetrayedmyconfidenceisnolongertheeditorofthisjournal。"