"Yes，butI’mnotbehindhandeither，"exclaimedCerizet。"Ihavecomenowtoshowyouawaytoputthethumbscrewsontheoldmaidandmakeherspinlikeateetotum。Wemustn’tdeceiveourselves；MademoiselleThuillieristheheadandfrontofeverythinginthisaffair；ifwegetheronoursidethetowniswon。Letussaylittle，butthatlittletothepoint，asbecomesstrongmenwitheachother。Claparon，youknow，isafool；he’llbeallhislifewhathealwayswas，——acat’s—paw。JustnowheislendinghisnametoanotaryinParis，whoisconcernedwithalotofcontractors，andtheyareall——notaryandmasons——onthepointofruin。Claparonisgoingheadlongintoit。Heneveryetwasbankrupt；butthere’safirsttimeforeverything。HeishiddennowinmyhovelintheruedesPoules，wherenoonewilleverfindhim。Heisdesperate，andhehasn’tapenny。Now，amongthefiveorsixhousesbuiltbythesecontractors，whichhavetobesold，there’sajewelofahouse，builtoffreestone，intheneighborhoodoftheMadeleine，——afrontagelacedlikeamelon，withbeautifulcarvings，——butnotbeingfinished，itwillhavetobesoldforwhatitwillbring；certainlynotmorethanahundredthousandfrancs。Byspendingtwenty—fivethousandfrancsuponititcouldbelet，undoubtedly，fortenthousand。MakeMademoiselleThuilliertheproprietorofthathouseandyou’llwinherlove；she’llbelievethatyoucanputsuchchancesinherwayeveryyear。Therearetwowaysofgettingholdofvainpeople：flattertheirvanity，ORthreatenthem；
　　andtherearealsotwowaysofmanagingmisers：filltheirpurse，orelseattackit。Now，thisstrokeofbusiness，whileitdoesgoodtoMademoiselleThuillier，doesgoodtousaswell，anditwouldbeapitynottoprofitbythechance。"
　　"Butwhydoesthenotaryletitslipthroughhisfingers？"askedDutocq。
　　"Thenotary，mydearfellow！Why，he’stheveryonewhosavesus。
　　Forcedtosellhispractice，andutterlyruinedbesides，hereservedforhimselfthiscrumbofthecake。BelievinginthehonestyofthatidiotClaparon，hehasaskedhimtofindadummypurchaser。We’lllethimsupposethatMademoiselleThuillierisaworthysoulwhoallowsClaparontousehername；they’llbothbefooled，Claparonandthenotarytoo。IowethislittletricktomyfriendClaparon，wholeftmetobearthewholeweightofthetroubleabouthisstock—company，inwhichweweretrickedbyConture，andIhopeyoumayneverbeinthatman’sskin！"headded，infernalhatredflashingfromhiswornandwitheredeyes。"Now，I’vesaidmysay，gentlemen，"hecontinued，sendingouthisvoicethroughhisnasalholes，andtakingadramaticattitude；foronce，atamomentofextremepenury，hehadgoneuponthestage。
　　Ashefinishedmakinghispropositionsomeonerangattheouterdoor，andlaPeyraderosetogoandopenit。Assoonashisbackwasturned，Cerizetsaid，hastily，toDutocq：——
　　"Areyousureofhim？Iseeasortofairabouthim——AndI’magoodjudgeoftreachery。"
　　"Heissocompletelyinourpower，"saidDutocq，"thatIdon’ttroublemyselftowatch；but，betweenourselves，Ididn’tthinkhimasstrongasheprovestobe。Thefactis，wethoughtwewereputtingabarbbetweenthelegsofamanwhodidn’tknowhowtoride，andtherogueisanoldjockey！"
　　"Lethimtakecare，"growledCerizet。"Icanblowhimdownlikeahouseofcardsanyday。Asforyou，papaDutocq，youareabletoseehimatworkallthetime；watchhimcarefully。Besides，I’llfeelhispulsebygettingClaparontoproposetohimtogetridofus；thatwillhelpustojudgehim。"
　　"Prettygood，that！"saidDutocq。"Youaredaring，anyhow。"
　　"I’vegotmyhandin，that’sall，"repliedCerizet。
　　ThesewordswereexchangedinalowvoiceduringthetimethatittookTheodosetogototheouterdoorandreturn。Cerizetwaslookingatthebookswhenthelawyerre—enteredtheroom。
　　"ItisThuillier，"saidTheodose。"Ithoughthe’dcome；heisinthesalon。Hemustn’tseeCerizet’sfrock—coat；thosefrogswouldfrightenhim。"
　　"Pooh！youreceivethepoorinyouroffice，don’tyou？That’sinyourrole。Doyouwantanymoney？"addedCerizet，pullingahundredfrancsoutofhistrousers’pocket。"Thereitis；itwon’tlookamiss。"
　　Andhelaidthepileonthechimney—piece。
　　"Andnow，"saidDutocq，"wehadbettergetoutthroughthebedroom。"
　　"Well，good—bye，"saidTheodose，openingahiddendoorwhichcommunicatedfromthestudytothebedroom。"Comein，MonsieurThuillier，"hecalledouttothebeauoftheEmpire。
　　Whenhesawhimsafelyinthestudyhewenttoletouthistwoassociatesthroughthebedroomandkitchenintothecourtyard。
　　"Insixmonths，"saidCerizet，"you’llhavemarriedCelesteandgotyourfootintothestirrup。Youarelucky，youare，nottohavesat，likeme，intheprisoners’dock。I’vebeentheretwice：oncein1825，for’subversivearticles’whichIneverwrote，andthesecondtimeforreceivingtheprofitsofajoint—stockcompanywhichhadslippedthroughmyfingers！Come，let’swarmthisthingup！Sac—a—papier！
　　DutocqandIaresorelyinneedofthattwenty—fivethousandfrancs。
　　Goodcourage，oldfellow！"headded，holdingouthishandtoTheodose，andmakingthegraspatestoffaithfulness。
　　TheProvencalgaveCerizethisrighthand，pressingtheother’shandwarmly：——
　　"Mygoodfellow，"hesaid，"beverysurethatinwhateverpositionI
　　mayfindmyselfIshallneverforgetthatfromwhichyouhavedrawnmebyputtingmeinthesaddlehere。I’msimplyyourbait；butyouaregivingmethebestpartofthecatch，andIshouldbemoreinfamousthanagalley—slavewhoturnspolicemanifIdidn’tplayfair。"
　　Assoonasthedoorwasclosed，Cerizetpeepedthroughthekey—hole，tryingtocatchsightoflaPeyrade’sface。ButtheProvencalhadturnedbacktomeetThuillier，andhisdistrustfulassociatecouldnotdetecttheexpressionofhiscountenance。
　　Thatexpressionwasneitherdisgustnorannoyance，itwassimplyjoy，appearingonafacethatnowseemedfreed。Theodosesawthemeansofsuccessapproachinghim，andheflatteredhimselfthatthedaywouldcomewhenhemightgetridofhisignobleassociates，towhomheowedeverything。Povertyhasunfathomabledepths，especiallyinParis，slimybottoms，fromwhich，whenadrownedmanrisestothesurfaceofthewater，hebringswithhimfilthandimpurityclingingtohisclothes，ortohisperson。Cerizet，theonceopulentfriendandprotectorofTheodose，wasthemuddymirestillclingingtotheProvencal，andtheformermanagerofthejoint—stockcompanysawveryplainlythathistoolwantedtobrushhimselfonenteringaspherewheredecentclothingwasanecessity。
　　"Well，mydearTheodose，"beganThuillier，"wehavehopedtoseeyoueverydaythisweek，andeveryeveningwefindourhopesdeceived。AsthisisourSundayforadinner，mysisterandmywifehavesentmeheretobegyoutocometous。"
　　"Ihavebeensobusy，"saidTheodose，"thatIhavenothadtwominutestogivetoanyone，noteventoyou，whomIcountamongmyfriends，andwithwhomIhavewishedtotalkabout——"
　　"What？haveyoureallybeenthinkingseriouslyoverwhatyousaidtome？"criedThuillier，interruptinghim。
　　"Ifyouhadnotcomeherenowforafullunderstanding，Ishouldn’trespectyouasIdo，"repliedlaPeyrade，smiling。"Youhavebeenasub—director，andthereforeyoumusthavetheremainsofambition——
　　whichisdeucedlylegitimateinyourcase！Come，now，betweenourselves，whenoneseesaMinard，thatgildedpot，displayinghimselfattheTuileries，andcomplimentingtheking，andaPopinotabouttobecomeaministerofState，andthenlookatyou！amantrainedtoadministrativework，amanwiththirtyyears’experience，whohasseensixgovernments，lefttoplantbalsamsinalittlegarden！Heavensandearth！——Iamfrank，mydearThuillier，andI’llsay，honestly，thatI
　　wanttoadvanceyou，becauseyou’lldrawmeafteryou。Well，here’smyplan。Wearesoontoelectamemberofthecouncil—generalfromthisarrondissement；andthatmembermustbeyou。And，"headded，dwellingontheword，"itWILLbeyou！Afterthat，youwillcertainlybedeputyfromthearrondissementwhentheChamberisre—elected，whichmustsurelybebeforelong。Thevotesthatelectyoutothemunicipalcouncilwillstandbyyouintheelectionfordeputy，trustmeforthat。"
　　"Buthowwillyoumanageallthis？"criedThuillier，fascinated。
　　"Youshallknowingoodtime；butyoumustletmeconductthislonganddifficultaffair；ifyoucommittheslightestindiscretionastowhatissaid，orplanned，oragreedbetweenus，Ishallhavetodropthewholematter，andgood—byetoyou！"
　　"Oh！youcanrelyontheabsolutedumbnessofaformersub—director；
　　I’vehadsecretstokeep。"
　　"That’sallverywell；butthesearesecretstokeepfromyourwifeandsister，andfromMonsieurandMadameColleville。"
　　"Notamuscleofmyfaceshallrevealthem，"saidThuillier，assumingastolidair。
　　"Verygood，"continuedTheodose。"Ishalltestyou。Inordertomakeyourselfeligible，youmustpaytaxesonacertainamountofproperty，andyouarenotpayingthem。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon；I’mallrightforthemunicipalcouncilatanyrate；Ipaytwofrancsninety—sixcentimes。"
　　"Yes，butthetaxonpropertynecessaryforelectiontothechamberisfivehundredfrancs，andthereisnotimetoloseinacquiringthatproperty，becauseyoumustprovepossessionforoneyear。"
　　"Thedevil！"criedThuillier；"betweennowandayearhencetobetaxedfivehundredfrancsonpropertywhich——"
　　"BetweennowandtheendofJuly，atthelatest，youmustpaythattax。Well，Ifeelenoughinterestinyoutotellyouthesecretofanaffairbywhichyoumightmakefromthirtytofortythousandfrancsayear，byemployingacapitalofonehundredandfiftythousandatmost。Iknowthatinyourfamilyitisyoursisterwhodoesyourbusiness；Iamfarfromthinkingthatamistake；shehas，theytellme，excellentjudgment；andyoumustletmebeginbyobtaininghergood—willandfriendship，andproposingthisinvestmenttoher。Andthisiswhy：IfMademoiselleThuillierisnotinducedtoputfaithinmyplan，weshallcertainlyhavedifficultywithher。Besides，itwon’tdoforYOUtoproposetoherthatsheshouldputtheinvestmentofhermoneyinyourname。Theideahadbettercomefromme。Astomymeansofgettingyouelectedtothemunicipalcouncil，theyarethese：
　　Phellioncontrolsonequarterofthearrondissement；heandLaudigeoishavelivedinitthesethirtyyears，andtheyarelistenedtolikeoracles。Ihaveafriendwhocontrolsanotherquarter；andtherectorofSaint—Jacques，whoisnotwithoutinfluence，thankstohisvirtues，disposesofcertainvotes。Dutocq，inhiscloserelationtothepeople，andalsothejusticeofpeace，willhelpme，aboveall，asI’mnotactingformyself；andColleville，assecretaryofthemayor’soffice，cancertainlymanagetoobtainanotherfourthofthevotes。"
　　"Youareright！"criedThuillier。"I’melected！"
　　"Doyouthinkso？"saidlaPeyrade，inavoiceofthedeepestsarcasm。
　　"Verygood！thengoandaskyourfriendCollevilletohelpyou，andseewhathe’llsay。Notriumphinelectioncasesiseverbroughtaboutbythecandidatehimself，butbyhisfriends。Heshouldneveraskanythinghimselfforhimself；hemustbeinvitedtoaccept，andappeartobewithoutambition。"
　　"LaPeyrade！"criedThuillier，rising，andtakingthehandoftheyounglawyer，"youareaverycapableman。"
　　"Notascapableasyou，butIhavemymerits，"saidtheProvencal，smiling。
　　"IfwesucceedhowshallIeverrepayyou？"askedThuillier，naively。
　　"Ah！that，indeed！Iamafraidyouwillthinkmeimpertinent，butremember，thereisatruefeelinginmyheartwhichofferssomeexcuseforme；infact，ithasgivenmethespirittoundertakethisaffair。
　　Ilove——andItakeyouformyconfidant。"
　　"Butwhoisit？"saidThuillier。
　　"YourdearlittleCeleste，"repliedlaPeyrade。"Myloveforherwillbeapledgetoyouofmydevotion。WhatwouldInotdoforaFATHER—
　　IN—LAW！Thisispureselfishness；Ishallbeworkingformyself。"
　　"Hush！"criedThuillier。
　　"Eh，myfriend！"saidlaPeyrade，catchingThuillierroundthebody；
　　"ifIhadn’tFlavieonmyside，andifIdidn’tknowALL，shouldI
　　venturetobetalkingtoyouthus？ButpleasesaynothingtoFlavieaboutthis；waittillshespeakstoyou。Listentome；I’mofthemetalthatmakesministers；IdonotseektoobtainCelesteuntilI
　　deserveher。YoushallnotbeaskedtogivehertomeuntilthedaywhenyourelectionasadeputyofParisisassured。InordertobedeputyofParis，wemustgetthebetterofMinard；andinordertocrushMinardyoumustkeepinyourownhandsallyourmeansofinfluence；forthatreasonuseCelesteasahope；we’llplaythemoff，thesepeople，againsteachotherandfoolthemall——MadameCollevilleandyouandIwillbepersonsofimportanceoneofthesedays。Don’tthinkmemercenary。IwantCelestewithouta"dot，"withnothingmorethanherfutureexpectations。Toliveinyourfamilywithyou，tokeepmywifeinyourmidst，thatismydesire。YouseenowthatIhavenohiddenthoughts。Asforyou，mydearfriend，sixmonthsafteryourelectiontothemunicipalcouncil，youwillhavethecrossoftheLegionofhonor，andwhenyouaredeputyyouwillbemadeanofficerofit。AsforyourspeechesintheChamber——well！we’llwritethemtogether。Perhapsitwouldbedesirableforyoutowriteabook，——aseriousbookonmattershalfmoralandphilanthropic，halfpolitical；
　　such，forinstance，ascharitableinstitutionsconsideredfromthehigheststand—point；orreformsinthepawningsystem，theabusesofwhicharereallyfrightful。Letusfastensomeslightdistinctiontoyourname；itwillhelpyou，——especiallyinthearrondissement。Now，I
　　sayagain，trustme，believeinme；donotthinkoftakingmeintoyourfamilyuntilyouhavetheribboninyourbuttonholeonthemorrowofthedaywhenyoutakeyourseatintheChamber。I’lldomorethanthat，however；I’llputyouinthewayofmakingfortythousandfrancsayear。"
　　"ForanyoneofthosethreethingsyoushallhaveourCeleste，"saidThuillier。
　　"Ah！whatapearlsheis！"exclaimedlaPeyrade，raisinghiseyestoheaven。"IhavetheweaknesstopraytoGodforhereveryday。Sheischarming；sheisexactlylikeyou——oh！nonsense；surelyyouneedn’tcautionme！Dutocqtoldmeall。Well，I’llbewithyouto—night。I
　　mustgotothePhellions’now，andbegintoworkourplan。Youdon’tneedmetocautionyounottoletitbeknownthatyouarethinkingofmeforCeleste；ifyoudo，you’llcutoffmyarmsandlegs。Therefore，silence！eventoFlavie。Waittillshespeakstoyouherself。Phellionshallto—nightbroachthematterofproposingyouascandidateforthecouncil。"
　　"To—night？"saidThuillier。
　　"Yes，to—night，"repliedlaPeyrade，"unlessIdon’tfindhimathomenow。"
　　Thuillierdeparted，sayingtohimself：——
　　"That’saverysuperiorman；weshallalwaysunderstandeachother。
　　Faith！itmightbehardtodobetterforCeleste。Theywilllivewithus，asinourownfamily，andthat’sagooddeal！Yes，he’safinefellow，asoundman。"
　　TomindsofThuillier’scalibre，asecondaryconsiderationoftenassumestheimportanceofaprincipalreason。Theodosehadbehavedtohimwithcharmingbonhomie。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEWORTHYPHELLIONS
　　ThehousetowhichTheodosedelaPeyradenowbenthisstepshadbeenthe"hoceratinvotis"ofMonsieurPhellionfortwentyyears；itwasthehouseofthePhellions，justasmuchasCerizet’sfroggedcoatwasthenecessarycomplementofhispersonality。
　　Thisdwellingwasstuckagainstthesideofalargehouse，butonlytothedepthofoneroom（abouttwentyfeetorso），andterminatedateachendinasortofpavilionwithonewindow。Itschiefcharmwasagarden，onehundredandeightyfeetsquare，longerthanthefacadeofthehousebythewidthofacourtyardwhichopenedonthestreet，andalittleclumpoflindens。Beyondthesecondpavilion，thecourtyardhad，betweenitselfandthestreet，anironrailing，inthecentreofwhichwasalittlegateopeninginthemiddle。
　　Thisbuilding，ofrougestonecoveredwithstucco，andtwostoreysinheight，hadreceivedacoatofyellow—wash；theblindswerepaintedgreen，andsoweretheshuttersonthelowerstorey。Thekitchenoccupiedtheground—floorofthepaviliononthecourtyard，andthecook，astout，stronggirl，protectedbytwoenormousdogs，performedthefunctionsofportress。Thefacade，composedoffivewindows，andthetwopavilions，whichprojectedninefeet，wereinthestylePhellion。Abovethedoorthemasterofthehousehadinsertedatabletofwhitemarble，onwhich，inlettersofgold，werereadthewords，"Aureamediocritas。"Abovethesun—dial，affixedtoonepanelofthefacade，hehadalsocausedtobeinscribedthissapientmaxim："Umbrameavita，sic！"
　　Theformerwindow—sillshadrecentlybeensupercededbysillsofredLanguedocmarble，foundinamarbleshop。Atthebottomofthegardencouldbeseenacoloredstatue，intendedtoleadcasualobserverstoimaginethatanursewascarryingachild。Theground—floorofthehousecontainedonlythesalonandthedining—room，separatedfromeachotherbythewellofthestaircaseandthelanding，whichformedasortofantechamber。Attheendofthesalon，intheotherpavilion，wasalittlestudyoccupiedbyPhellion。
　　Onthefirstupperfloorweretheroomsofthefatherandmotherandthatoftheyoungprofessor。Abovewerethechambersofthechildrenandtheservants；forPhellion，onconsiderationofhisownageandthatofhiswife，hadsetupamaledomestic，agedfifteen，hissonhavingbythattimeentereduponhisdutiesoftuition。Toright，onenteringthecourtyard，werelittleofficeswherewoodwasstored，andwheretheformerproprietorhadlodgedaporter。ThePhellionswerenodoubtawaitingthemarriageoftheirsontoallowthemselvesthatadditionalluxury。
　　Thisproperty，onwhichthePhellionshadlonghadtheireye，costthemeighteenthousandfrancsin1831。Thehousewasseparatedfromthecourtyardbyabalustradewithabaseoffreestoneandacopingoftiles；thislittlewall，whichwasbreast—high，waslinedwithahedgeofBengalroses，inthemiddleofwhichopenedawoodengateoppositeandleadingtothelargegatesonthestreet。Thosewhoknowthecul—
　　de—sacoftheFeuillantines，willunderstandthatthePhellionhouse，standingatrightanglestothestreet，hadasouthernexposure，andwasprotectedonthenorthbytheimmensewalloftheadjoininghouse，againstwhichthesmallerstructurewasbuilt。ThecupolaofthePantheonandthatoftheVal—de—Gracelookedfromthereliketwogiants，andsodiminishedtheskyspacethat，walkinginthegarden，onefeltcrampedandoppressed。Noplacecouldbemoresilentthanthisblindstreet。
　　Suchwastheretreatofthegreatunknowncitizenwhowasnowtastingthesweetsofrepose，afterdischarginghisdutytothenationintheministryoffinance，fromwhichhehadretiredasregistrationclerkafteraserviceofthirty—sixyears。In1832hehadledhisbattalionoftheNationalGuardtotheattackonSaint—Merri，buthisneighborshadpreviouslyseentearsinhiseyesatthethoughtofbeingobligedtofireonmisguidedFrenchmen。TheaffairwasalreadydecidedbythetimehislegioncrossedthepontNotre—Dameataquickstep，afterdebouchingbytheflower—market。Thisnoblehesitationwonhimtherespectofhiswholequarter，buthelostthedecorationoftheLegionofhonor；hiscoloneltoldhiminaloudvoicethat，underarms，therewasnosuchthingasdeliberation，——asayingofLouis—PhilippetotheNationalGuardofMetz。Nevertheless，thebourgeoisvirtuesofPhellion，andthegreatrespectinwhichhewasheldinhisownquarterhadkepthimmajorofthebattalionforeightyears。Hewasnownearlysixty，andseeingthemomentcomingwhenhemustlayofftheswordandstock，hehopedthatthekingwoulddeigntorewardhisservicesbygrantinghimatlasttheLegionofhonor。
　　Truthcompelsustosay，inspiteofthestainthispettinesswillputuponsofineacharacter，thatCommanderPhellionroseuponthetipsofhistoesatthereceptionsintheTuileries，anddidallthathecouldtoputhimselfforward，eveneyeingthecitizen—kingperpetuallywhenhedinedathistable。Inshort，heintriguedinadumbsortofway；buthadneveryetobtainedalookinreturnfromthekingofhischoice。Theworthymanhadmorethanoncethought，butwasnotyetdecided，tobegMonsieurMinardtoassisthiminobtaininghissecretdesire。
　　Phellion，amanofpassiveobedience，wasstoicalinthematterofduty，andironinallthattouchedhisconscience。Tocompletethispicturebyasketchofhisperson，wemustaddthatatfifty—nineyearsofagePhellionhad"thickened，"touseatermofthebourgeoisvocabulary。Hisface，ofonemonotonoustoneandpittedwiththesmall—pox，hadgrowntoresembleafullmoon；sothathislips，formerlylarge，nowseemedofordinarysize。Hiseyes，muchweakened，andprotectedbyglasses，nolongershowedtheinnocenceoftheirlight—blueorbs，whichinformerdayshadoftenexcitedasmile；hiswhitehairnowgavegravitytomuchthattwelveyearsearlierhadlookedlikesilliness，andlentitselftoridicule。Time，whichdoessuchdamagetofaceswithrefinedanddelicatefeatures，onlyimprovesthosewhich，intheiryouth，havebeencourseandmassive。ThiswasthecasewithPhellion。HeoccupiedtheleisureofhisoldageinmakinganabridgmentoftheHistoryofFrance；forPhellionwastheauthorofseveralworksadoptedbytheUniversity。
　　WhenlaPeyradepresentedhimself，thefamilywerealltogether。
　　MadameBarniolwasjusttellinghermotheraboutoneofherbabies，whichwasslightlyindisposed。TheyweredressedintheirSundayclothes，andweresittingbeforethefireplaceofthewainscotedsalononchairsboughtatabargain；andtheyallfeltanemotionwhenGenevieve，thecookandportress，announcedthepersonageofwhomtheywerejustthenspeakinginconnectionwithCeleste，whom，wemustherestate，FelixPhellionloved，totheextentofgoingtomasstobeholdher。Thelearnedmathematicianhadmadethateffortinthemorning，andthefamilywerejokinghimaboutitinapleasantway，hopingintheirheartsthatCelesteandherparentsmightunderstandthetreasurethatwasthusofferedtothem。
　　"Alas！theThuilliersseemtomeinfatuatedwithaverydangerousman，"saidMadamePhellion。"HetookMadameCollevillebythearmthismorningafterchurch，andtheywenttogethertotheLuxembourg。"
　　"Thereissomethingaboutthatlawyer，"remarkedFelixPhellion，"thatstrikesmeassinister。HemightbefoundtohavecommittedsomecrimeandIshouldn’tbesurprised。"
　　"That’sgoingtoofar，"saidoldPhellion。"Heiscousin—germaintoTartuffe，thatimmortalfigurecastinbronzebyourhonestMoliere；
　　forMoliere，mychildren，hadhonestyandpatriotismforthebasisofhisgenius。"
　　ItwasatthatinstantthatGenevievecameintosay，"There’saMonsieurdelaPeyradeoutthere，whowantstoseemonsieur。"
　　"Toseeme！"exclaimedPhellion。"Askhimtocomein，"headded，withthatsolemnityinlittlethingswhichgavehimevennowatouchofabsurdity，thoughitalwaysimpressedhisfamily，whichacceptedhimasking。
　　Phellion，histwosons，andhiswifeanddaughter，roseandreceivedthecircularbowmadebythelawyer。
　　"Towhatdoweowethehonorofyourvisit，monsieur？"askedPhellion，stiffly。
　　"Toyourimportanceinthisarrondissement，mydearMonsieurPhellion，andtopublicinterests，"repliedTheodose。
　　"Thenletusgointomystudy，"saidPhellion。
　　"No，no，myfriend，"saidtherigidMadamePhellion，asmallwoman，flatasaflounder，whoretaineduponherfeaturesthegrimseveritywithwhichshetaughtmusicinboarding—schoolsforyoungladies；"wewillleaveyou。"
　　AnuprightErardpiano，placedbetweenthetwowindowsandoppositetothefireplace，showedtheconstantoccupationofaproficient。
　　"AmIsounfortunateastoputyoutoflight？"saidTheodose，smilinginakindlywayatthemotheranddaughter。"Youhaveadelightfulretreathere，"hecontinued。"Youonlylackaprettydaughter—in—lawtopasstherestofyourdaysinthis’aureamediocritas，’thewishoftheLatinpoet，surroundedbyfamilyjoys。Yourantecedents，mydearMonsieurPhellion，oughtsurelytowinyousuchrewards，forIamtoldthatyouarenotonlyapatriotbutagoodcitizen。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidPhellion，embarrassed，"monsieur，Ihaveonlydonemyduty。"Attheword"daughter—in—law，"utteredbyTheodose，MadameBarniol，whoresembledhermotherasmuchasonedropofwaterislikeanother，lookedatMadamePhellionandatFelixasifshewouldsay，"Werewemistaken？"
　　Thedesiretotalkthisincidentovercarriedallfourpersonagesintothegarden，for，inMarch，1840，theweatherwasspring—like，atleastinParis。
　　"Commander，"saidTheodose，assoonashewasalonewithPhellion，whowasalwaysflatteredbythattitle，"Ihavecometospeaktoyouabouttheelection——"
　　"Yes，true；weareabouttonominateamunicipalcouncillor，"saidPhellion，interruptinghim。
　　"AnditisaproposofthatcandidacythatIhavecometodisturbyourSundayjoys；butperhapsinsodoingweshallnotgobeyondthelimitsofthefamilycircle。"
　　ItwouldbeimpossibleforPhelliontobemorePhellionthanTheodosewasPhellionatthatmoment。
　　"Ishallnotletyousayanotherword，"repliedthecommander，profitingbythepausemadebyTheodose，whowatchedfortheeffectofhisspeech。"Mychoiceismade。"
　　"Wehavehadthesameidea！"exclaimedTheodose；"menofthesamecharacteragreeaswellasmenofthesamemind。"
　　"InthiscaseIdonotbelieveinthatphenomenon，"repliedPhellion。
　　"Thisarrondissementhadforitsrepresentativeinthemunicipalcouncilthemostvirtuousofmen，ashewasthenoblestofmagistrates。IalludetothelateMonsieurPopinot，thedeceasedjudgeoftheRoyalcourts。Whenthequestionofreplacinghimcameup，hisnephew，theheirtohisbenevolence，didnotresideinthisquarter。
　　Hehassince，however，purchased，andnowoccupies，thehousewherehisunclelivedintheruedelaMontagne—Sainte—Genevieve；heisthephysicianoftheEcolePolytechniqueandthatofourhospitals；hedoeshonortothisquarter；forthesereasons，andtopayhomageinthepersonofthenephewtothememoryoftheuncle，wehavedecidedtonominateDoctorHoraceBianchon，memberoftheAcademyofSciences，asyouareaware，andoneofthemostdistinguishedyoungmenintheillustriousfacultyofParis。Amanisnotgreatinoureyessolelybecauseheiscelebrated；tomymindthelateCouncillorPopinotwasalmostanotherSaintVincentdePaul。"
　　"Butadoctorisnotanadministrator，"repliedTheodose；"and，besides，Ihavecometoaskyourvoteforamantowhomyourdearestinterestsrequirethatyoushouldsacrificeapredilection，which，afterall，isquiteunimportanttothepublicwelfare。"
　　"Monsieur！"criedPhellion，risingandstrikinganattitudelikethatofLafonin"LeGlorieux，""Doyoudespisemesufficientlytosupposethatmypersonalinterestscouldeverinfluencemypoliticalconscience？Whenamatterconcernsthepublicwelfare，Iamacitizen——nothingmore，andnothingless。"
　　Theodosesmiledtohimselfatthethoughtofthebattlewhichwasnowtotakeplacebetweenthefatherandthecitizen。
　　"Donotbindyourselftoyourpresentideas，Ientreatyou，"hesaid，"forthismatterconcernsthehappinessofyourdearFelix。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbythosewords？"askedPhellion，stoppingshortinthemiddleofthesalonandposing，withhishandthrustthroughthebosomofhiswaistcoatfromrighttoleft，inthewell—knownattitudeofOdilonBarrot。
　　"Ihavecomeinbehalfofourmutualfriend，theworthyandexcellentMonsieurThuillier，whoseinfluenceonthedestinyofthatbeautifulCelesteCollevillemustbewellknowntoyou。If，asIthink，yourson，whosemeritsareincontestable，andofwhombothfamiliesmaywellbeproud，if，Isay，heiscourtingCelestewithaviewtoamarriageinwhichallexpedienciesmaybecombined，youcannotdomoretopromotethatendthantoobtainThuillier’seternalgratitudebyproposingyourworthyfriendtothesuffragesofyourfellow—citizens。