will become of my three daughters, who have none but me to help them?"The whole of his woeful story lay in that lament. A victim of politics,he had been foolish enough to quit Arras and his business there as asolicitor, in order to seek triumph in Paris with his wife and daughters,whose menial he had then become--a menial dismayed by the constantrebuffs and failures which his mediocrity brought upon him. An honestdeputy! ah, good heavens! yes, he would have liked to be one; but was henot perpetually "hard-up," ever in search of a hundred-franc note, andthus, perforce, a deputy for sale? And withal he led such a pitiablelife, so badgered by the women folk about him, that to satisfy theirdemands he would have picked up money no matter where or how."Just fancy, Monsieur le Baron, I have at last found a husband for myeldest girl. It is the first bit of luck that I have ever had; there willonly be three women left on my hands if it comes off. But you can imaginewhat a disastrous impression such an article as that of this morning mustcreate in the young man's family. So I have come to see the Minister tobeg him to give my future son-in-law a prefectoral secretaryship. I havealready promised him the post, and if I can secure it things may yet bearranged."
He looked so terribly shabby and spoke in such a doleful voice that itoccurred to Duvillard to do one of those good actions on which heventured at times when they were likely to prove remunerativeinvestments. It is, indeed, an excellent plan to give a crust of bread tosome poor devil whom one can turn, if necessary, into a valet or anaccomplice. So the banker dismissed Chaigneux, undertaking to do hisbusiness for him in the same way as he had undertaken to do Duthil's. Andhe added that he would be pleased to see him on the morrow, and have achat with him, as he might be able to help him in the matter of hisdaughter's marriage.
At this Chaigneux, scenting a loan, collapsed into the most lavishthanks. "Ah! Monsieur le Baron, my life will not be long enough to enableme to repay such a debt of gratitude."As Duvillard turned round he was surprised to see Abbe Froment waiting ina corner of the ante-room. Surely that one could not belong to the batchof _suspects_, although by the manner in which he was pretending to reada newspaper it seemed as if he were trying to hide some keen anxiety. Atlast the Baron stepped forward, shook hands, and spoke to him cordially.And Pierre thereupon related that he had received a letter requesting himto call on the Minister that day. Why, he could not tell; in fact, he wasgreatly surprised, he said, putting on a smile in order to conceal hisdisquietude. He had been waiting a long time already, and hoped that hewould not be forgotten on that bench.
Just then the usher appeared, and hastened up to the banker. "TheMinister," said he, "was at that moment engaged with the President of theCouncil; but he had orders to admit the Baron as soon as the Presidentwithdrew." Almost immediately afterwards Barroux came out, and asDuvillard was about to enter he recognised and detained him. And he spokeof the denunciations very bitterly, like one indignant with all theslander. Would not he, Duvillard, should occasion require it, testifythat he, Barroux, had never taken a centime for himself? Then, forgetting
