\"Iknowthatverywell；I’vemadethataffirmationscoresoftimeswhenIwasworkingfortherepublicannewspapersand——\"
\"Whenyouwere’thecourageousCerizet，’\"interruptedduPortail。
\"Well，thepresentmachination，hereitis。ThegovernmentwasmuchdispleasedatseeingThuillierelectedwithoutitsinfluencetotheCouncil—generaloftheSeine；itwasangrywithanindependentandpatrioticcitizenwhoshowedbyhiscandidacythathecoulddowithoutit；anditlearned，moreover，thatthisexcellentcitizenwaspreparingapamphletonthesubject，alwaysadelicateone，ofthefinances，astowhichthisdangerousadversaryhadgreatexperience。
So，whatdidthisessentiallycorruptgovernmentdo？Itsubornedamaninwhom，asitlearned，Thuillierplacedconfidence，andforasumoftwenty—fivethousandfrancs（ameretrifletothepolice），thistreacherousfriendagreedtoinsertintothepamphletthreeorfourphraseswhichexposedittoseizureandcauseditsauthortobesummonedbeforethecourtofassizes。NowthewaytomaketheexplanationclinchthedoubtinThuillier’smindistolethimknowthatthenextdaylaPeyrade，who，asThuillierknew，hadn’tasou，paidDutocqpreciselythatverysumoftwenty—fivethousandfrancs。\"
\"Thedevil！\"criedCerizet，\"itisn’tabadtrick。FellowsoftheThuillierspecieswillbelieveanythingagainstthepolice。\"
\"Weshallsee，then，\"continuedduPortail，\"whetherThuillierwillwanttokeepsuchacollaboratorbesidehim，andaboveall，whetherhewillbesoeagertogivehimhisgoddaughter。\"
\"Youareastrongman，monsieur，\"saidCerizet，againexpressinghisapprobation；\"butImustownthatIfeelsomescruplesatthepartassignedme。LaPeyradecameandofferedmethemanagementofthepaper，and，yousee，Ishouldbeworkingtoevicthim。\"
\"Andthatleaseheknockedyououtofinspiteofhispromises，haveyouforgottenthat？\"askedthelittleoldman。\"Besides，arewenotaimingforhishappiness，thoughtheobstinatefellowpersistsinthwartingourbenevolentintentions？\"
\"Itistrue，\"saidCerizet，\"thattheresultwillabsolveme。Yes，I’llgoresolutelyalongtheingeniouspathyou’vetracedoutforme。
Butthere’sonethingmore：Ican’tflingmyrevelationatThuillier’sheadattheveryfirst；Imusthavetimetopreparethewayforit，butthatsecuritywillhavetobepaidinimmediately。\"
\"Listentome，MonsieurCerizet，\"saidduPortail，inatoneofauthority；\"ifthemarriageoflaPeyradetomywardtakesplaceitismyintentiontorewardyourservices，andthesumofthirtythousandfrancswillbeyourperquisite。Now，thirtythousandfromonesideandtwenty—fivethousandfromtheothermakespreciselyfifty—fivethousandfrancsthatthematrimonialvicissitudesofyourfriendlaPeyradewillhaveputintoyourpocket。But，ascountrypeopledoattheshowsofafair，IshallnotpaytillIcomeout。IfyoutakethatmoneyoutofyourownhoardIshallfeelnoanxiety；youwillknowhowtokeepitfromtheclutchesofyourcreditors。If，onthecontrary，mymoneyisatstake，youwillhaveneitherthesameeagernessnorthesameintelligenceinkeepingitoutofdanger。Thereforearrangeyouraffairssothatyoucanpaydownyourownthirty—threethousand；incaseofsuccess，thatsumwillbringyouinprettynearlyahundredpercent。That’smylastword，andIshallnotlistentoanyobjections。\"
Cerizethadnotimetomakeany，foratthatmomentthedoorofduPortail’sstudyopenedabruptly，andafair，slenderwoman，whosefaceexpressedangelicsweetness，enteredtheroomeagerly。Onherarm，wrappedinhandsomelongclothes，laywhatseemedtobetheformofaninfant。
\"There！\"shesaid，\"thatnaughtyKatteinsistedthatthedoctorwasnothere。IknewperfectlywellthatIhadseenhimenter。Well，doctor，\"shecontinued，addressingCerizet，\"Iamnotsatisfiedwiththeconditionofmylittleone，notsatisfiedatall；sheisverypallid，andhasgrownsothin。Ithinkshemustbeteething。\"
DuPortailmadeCerizetasigntoaccepttherolesoabruptlythrustuponhim。
\"Yes，evidently，\"hesaid，\"itistheteeth；childrenalwaysturnpaleatthatcrisis；butthere’snothinginthat，mydearlady，thatneedmakeyouanxious。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso，doctor，\"saidthepoorcrazedgirl，whomourreadershaverecognizedasduPortail’sward，LydiedelaPeyrade；
\"butseeherdearlittlearms，howthintheyaregetting。\"
Thentakingoutthepinsthatfastenedtheswathings，sheexhibitedtoCerizetabundleoflinenwhichtoherpoordistractedmindrepresentedababy。
\"Why，no，no，\"saidCerizet，\"sheisatriflethin，itistrue，butthefleshisfirmandhercolorexcellent。\"
\"Poordarling！\"saidLydie，kissingherdreamlovingly。\"Idothinksheisbettersincemorning。WhathadIbettergiveher，doctor？Brothdisgustsher，andshewon’ttakesoup。\"
\"Well，\"saidCerizet，\"trypanada。Doesshelikesweetthings？\"
\"Oh，yes！\"criedthepoorgirl，herfacebrightening，\"sheadoresthem。Wouldchocolatebegoodforher？\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedCerizet，\"butwithoutvanilla；vanillaisveryheating。\"
\"ThenI’llgetwhattheycallhealth—chocolate，\"saidLydie，withalltheintonationsofamother，listeningtothedoctorastoagodwhoreassuredher。\"Uncle，\"sheadded，\"pleaseringforBruneau，andtellhimtogotoMarquisatonceandgetsomepoundsofthatchocolate。\"
\"Bruneauhasjustgoneout，\"saidherguardian；\"butthere’snohurry，heshallgointhecourseoftheday。\"
\"There，sheisgoingtosleep，\"saidCerizet，anxioustoputanendtothescene，which，inspiteofhishardenednature，hefelttobepainful。
\"True，\"saidthegirl，replacingthebandagesandrising；\"I’llputhertobed。Adieu，doctor；itisverykindofyoutocomesometimeswithoutbeingsentfor。Ifyouknewhowanxiouswepoormothersare，andhow，withawordortwo，youcandoussuchgood。Ah，theresheiscrying！\"
\"Sheissosleepy，\"saidCerizet；\"she’llbemuchbetterinhercradle。\"
\"Yes，andI’llplayherthatsonataofBeethoventhatdearpapawassofondof；itiswonderfulhowcalmingitis。Adieu，doctor，\"shesaidagain，pausingonthethresholdofthedoor。\"Adieu，kinddoctor！\"Andshesenthimakiss。
Cerizetwasquiteovercome。
\"Yousee，\"saidduPortail，\"thatsheisanangel，——nevertheleastill—humor，neverasharpword；sadsometimes，butalwayscausedbyafeelingofmotherlysolicitude。Thatiswhatfirstgavethedoctorstheideathatifrealitycouldtaketheplaceofherconstanthallucinationshemightrecoverherreason。Well，thisisthegirlthatfoolofaPeyraderefuses，withtheaccompanimentofamagnificent’dot。’Buthemustcometoit，orI’llforswearmyname。
Listen，\"headdedasthesoundofapianocametothem；\"hear！whattalent！Thousandsofsanewomencan’tcomparewithher；theyarenotasreasonableassheis，exceptonthesurface。\"
WhenBeethoven’ssonata，playedfromthesoulwithaperfectionofshadesandtonesthatfilledherhardenedhearerwithadmiration，hadceasedtosound，Cerizetsaid：——
\"Iagreewithyou，monsieur；laPeyraderefusesanangel，atreasure，apearl，andifIwereinhisplace——Butweshallbringhimroundtoyourpurpose。NowIshallserveyounotonlywithzeal，butwithenthusiasm，Imaysayfanaticism。\"
AsCerizetwasconcludingthisoathoffidelityatthedoorofthestudy，heheardawoman’svoicewhichwasnotthatofLydie。
\"Isheinhisstudy，thedearcommander？\"saidthatvoice，withaslightlyforeignaccent。
\"Yes，madame，butpleasecomeintothesalon。Monsieurisnotalone；I
willtellhimyouarehere。\"
ThiswasthevoiceofKatte，theoldDutchmaid。
\"Stop，gothisway，\"saidduPortailquicklytoCerizet。
Andheopenedahiddendoorwhichledthroughadarkcorridordirectlytothestaircase，whenceCerizetbetookhimselftotheofficeofthe\"EchodelaBievre，\"whereaheateddiscussionwasgoingon。
Thearticlebywhichtheneweditorsofeverynewspaperlaybeforethepublictheir\"professionoffaith，\"asthetechnicalsayingis，alwaysproducesalaboriousanddifficultparturition。Inthisparticularcaseitwasnecessary，ifnotopenlytodeclareThuillier’scandidacy，toatleastmakeitfeltandforeseen。Thetermsofthemanifesto，afterlaPeyradehadmadearoughdraftofit，werediscussedatgreatlength。ThisdiscussiontookplaceinCerizet’spresence，who，actingonduPortail’sadvice，acceptedthemanagement，butpostponedthepaymentofthesecuritytillthenextday，throughthelatitudeallowedinalladministrationsfortheaccomplishmentofthatformality。
Cleverlyeggedonbythismaster—knave，who，fromthestart，madehimselfThuillier’sflatterer，thediscussionbecamestormy，andpresentlybitter；butas，bythedeedofpartnershipthedecidingwordwaslefttolaPeyradeinallmattersconcerningtheeditorship，hefinallycloseditbysendingthemanifesto，preciselyashehadwrittenit，totheprintingoffice。
Thuillierwasincensedatwhathecalledanabuseofpower，andfindinghimselfalonewithCerizetlaterintheday，hehastenedtopourhisgriefsandresentmentsintothebosomofhisfaithfulmanager，thusaffordingthelatteraready—madeandnaturalopportunitytoinsinuatethecalumniousrevelationagreeduponwithduPortail。Leavingtheknifeinthewound，Cerizetwentouttomakecertainarrangementstoobtainthemoneynecessaryforhisbond。
Torturedbytheterriblerevelation，Thuilliercouldnotkeepittohimself；hefelttheneedofconfidingit，andoftalkingoverthecoursehewouldbecompelledtotakebythisinfernaldiscovery。
Sendingforacarriagehedrovehome，andhalfanhourlaterhehadtoldthewholestorytohisEgeria。
BrigittehadfromthefirstveryvehementlydeclaredagainstallthedeterminationsmadebyThuillierduringthelastfewdays。Fornopurposewhatever，notevenforthesakeofherbrother’selection，wouldsheagreetoarenewaloftherelationtolaPeyrade。Inthefirstplace，shehadtreatedhimbadly，andthatwasastrongreasonfordislikinghim；then，incasethatadventurer，asshenowcalledhim，marriedCeleste，thefearofherauthoritybeinglessenedgaveheraspeciesofsecond—sight；shehadendedbyhavinganintuitivesenseofthedarkprofunditiesoftheman’snature，andnowdeclaredthatundernocircumstancesandfornopossiblepricewouldshemakeonehouseholdwithhim。
\"Ruinyourselfifyouchoose，\"shesaid，\"youarethemasterofthat，andyoucandoasyoulike；afoolandhismoneyaresoonparted。\"
When，therefore，shelistenedtoherbrother’sconfidencesitwasnotwithreproaches，but，onthecontrary，withacrowoftriumph，celebratingtheprobablereturnofherpower，thatshewelcomedthem。
\"Somuchthebetter！\"shecried；\"itiswelltoknowatlastthatthemanisaspy。Ialwaysthoughtso，thecantingbigot！Turnhimoutofdoorswithoutanexplanation。WEdon’twanthimtoworkthatnewspaper。ThisMonsieurCerizetseems，fromwhatyoutellme，therightsortofman，andwecangetanothermanager。Besides，whenMadamedeGodollowentawayshepromisedtowritetome；andshecaneasilyputusinthewayoffindingsomeone。Poor，dearCeleste！whatafateweweregoingtogiveher！\"
\"Howyourunon！\"saidThuillier。\"LaPeyrade，mydear，issofaronlyaccused。Hemustbeheardinhisdefence。Andbesides，there’sadeedthatbindsus。\"
\"Ah，verygood！\"saidBrigitte；\"Iseehowitwillbe；you’llletthatmantwistyouroundhisfingeragain。Adeedwithaspy！Asiftherecouldbedeedswithsuchfellows。\"
\"Come，come，becalm，mygoodBrigitte，\"returnedThuillier。\"Wemustn’tdoanythinghastily。Certainly，iflaPeyradecannotfurnishajustification，clear，categorical，andconvincing，Ishalldecidetobreakwithhim，andI’llprovetoyouthatIamnomilksop。ButCerizethimselfisnotcertain；thesearemereinductions，andIonlycametoconsultyouastowhetherIought，oroughtnot，todemandanexplanationoutright。\"
\"Notadoubtaboutit，\"repliedBrigitte。\"Yououghttodemandanexplanationandgotothebottomofthisthing；ifyoudon’t，Icastyouoffasmybrother。\"
\"Thatsuffices，\"saidThuillier，leavingtheroomwithsolemnity；\"youshallseethatwewillcometoanunderstanding。\"
CHAPTERXI
EXPLANATIONSANDWHATCAMEOFTHEM
OnhisreturntotheofficeafterhisconferencewithBrigitte，ThuillierfoundlaPeyradeathispostaseditor—in—chief，andinapositionofmuchembarrassment，causedbythehighhandhehadreservedforhimselfasthesoleselectorofarticlesandcontributors。Atthismoment，Phellion，instigatedbyhisfamily，anddeeplyconsciousofhispositiononthereading—committeeoftheOdeon，hadcometoofferhisservicesasdramaticcritic。
\"Mydearmonsieur，\"hesaid，continuinghisremarkstolaPeyrade，afterinquiringofThuillierabouthishealth，\"Iwasagreatstudentofthetheatreinmyyouth；thestageanditssceniceffectscontinuetohaveformepeculiarattractions；andthewhitehairswhichcrownmybrowto—dayseemtomenoobstacletomyallowingyourinterestingpublicationtoprofitbythefruitofmystudiesandmyexperience。Asmemberofthereading—committeeoftheOdeontheatre，Iamconversantwiththemoderndrama，and——ifImaybequitesureofyourdiscretion——Iwillevenconfidetoyouthatamongmypapersitwouldnotbeimpossibleformetofindacertaintragedyentitled’Sapor，’whichinmyyoungdayswonmesomefamewhenreadinsalons。\"
\"Ah！\"saidlaPeyrade，endeavoringtogildtherefusalheshouldbeforcedtogive，\"whynottrytohaveitputuponthestage？Wemightbeabletohelpyouinthatdirection。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidThuillier，\"thedirectorofanytheatretowhomweshouldrecommend——\"
\"No，\"repliedPhellion。\"Inthefirstplace，asmemberofthereading—
committeeoftheOdeon，havingtositinjudgmentuponothers，itwouldnotbecomemetodescendintothearenamyself。Iamanoldathlete，whosebusinessitistojudgeofblowshecannolongergive。
Inthissense，criticismisaltogetherwithinmysphere，andallthemorebecauseIhavecertainviewsonthepropermethodofcomposingdramaticfeuilletonswhichIthinknovel。The’castigatridendomores’
oughttobe，accordingtomyhumblelights，thegreatlaw，Imaysaytheonlylawofthestage。Ishouldthereforeshowmyselfpitilessforthoseworks，bredofimagination，inwhichmoralityhasnopart，andtowhichmothersoffamilies——\"
\"Excuseme，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"forinterruptingyou；butbeforeallowingyoutotakethetroubletodevelopyourpoeticalideas，I
oughttotellyouthatwehavealreadymadearrangementsforourdramaticcriticism。\"
\"Ah！that’sanotherthing，\"saidPhellion；\"anhonestmanmustkeephisword。\"
\"Yes，\"saidThuillier，\"wehaveourdramaticcritic，littlethinkingthatyouwouldofferusyourvaluableassistance。\"
\"Well，\"saidPhellion，suddenlybecomingcrafty，——forthereissomethinginthenewspaperatmosphere，impossibletosaywhat，whichfliestothehead，thebourgeoisheadespecially，——\"sinceyouaregoodenoughtoconsidermypencapableofdoingyousomeservice，perhapsaseriesofdetachedthoughtsondifferentsubjects，towhichIshouldventuretogivethenameof’Diversities，’mightbeofanaturetointerestyourreaders。\"
\"Yes，\"saidlaPeyrade，withamaliciousnessthatwasquitelostuponPhellion，\"thoughts，especiallyinthestyleoflaRochefoucauldorlaBruyere，mightdo。Whatdoyouthinkyourself，Thuillier？\"
Hereservedtohimselftherighttoleavetheresponsibilityofrefusals，asfarashecould，totheproprietorofthepaper。
\"ButIimaginethatthoughts，especiallyifdetached，cannotbeveryconsecutive，\"saidThuillier。
\"Evidentlynot，\"repliedPhellion；\"detachedthoughtsimplytheideaofaverygreatnumberofsubjectsonwhichtheauthorletshispenstraywithoutthepretensionofpresentingawhole。\"
\"Youwillofcoursesignthem？\"saidlaPeyrade。
\"Oh，no！\"repliedPhellion，alarmed。\"Icouldnotputmyselfonexhibitioninthatway。\"
\"Yourmodesty，whichbythebyeIunderstandandapprove，settlesthematter，\"saidlaPeyrade。\"Thoughtsareasubjectaltogetherindividual，whichimperativelyrequiretobepersonifiedbyaname。
Youmustbeconsciousofthisyourself。’DiversThoughtsbyMonsieurThree—Stars’saysnothingtothepublic。\"
SeeingthatPhellionwasabouttomakeobjections，Thuillier，whowasinahurrytobeginhisfightwithlaPeyrade，cutthemattershortrathersharply。
\"MydearPhellion，\"hesaid，\"Ibegyourpardonfornotbeingabletoenjoythepleasureofyourconversationanylonger，butwehavetotalk，laPeyradeandI，overamatterofmuchimportance，andinnewspaperofficesthisdevilishtimerunsawaysofast。Ifyouarewilling，wewillpostponethequestiontoanotherday。MadamePhellioniswell，Itrust？\"
\"Perfectlywell，\"saidthegreatcitizen，rising，andnotappearingtoresenthisdismissal。\"Whendoesyourfirstnumberappear？\"headded；
\"itiseagerlyawaitedinthearrondissement。\"
\"To—morrowIthinkourconfessionoffaithwillmakeitsappearance，\"
repliedThuillier，accompanyinghimtothedoor。\"Youwillreceiveacopy，mydearfriend。Weshallmeetagainsoon，Ihope。Comeandseeus，andbringthatmanuscript；laPeyrade’spointofviewmaybealittlearbitrary。\"
Withthisbalmsheduponhiswound，Phelliondeparted，andThuillierrangthebellfortheporter。
\"Couldyourecognizethegentlemenwhohasjustgoneoutthenexttimeyouseehim？\"askedThuillier。
\"Oh，yes，m’sieu，hisroundballofaheadistoofunnytoforget；
besides，itisMonsieurPhellion；haven’tIopenedthedoortohimhundredsoftimes？\"
\"Well，wheneverhecomesagainneitherInorMonsieurdelaPeyradewillbehere。Rememberthat’sapositiverule。Nowleaveus。\"
\"Thedevil！\"criedlaPeyrade，whenthetwopartnerswerealone，\"howyoumanagebores。Buttakecare；amongthenumbertheremaybeelectors。YoudidrighttotellPhellionyouwouldsendhimacopyofthepaper；hehasacertainimportanceinthequarter。\"
\"Well，\"saidThuillier，\"wecan’tallowourtimetobetakenupbyallthedull—headswhocomeandoffertheirservices。ButnowyouandI
havetotalk，andtalkveryseriously。Beseatedandlisten。\"
\"Doyouknow，mydearfellow，\"saidlaPeyrade，laughing，\"thatjournalismismakingyouintosomethingverysolemn？’Beseated，Cinna，’——CaesarAugustuscouldn’thavesaiditotherwise。\"
\"Cinnas，unfortunately，aremoreplentifulthanpeoplethink，\"repliedThuillier。
HewasstillunderthegoadofthepromisehehadmadetoBrigitte，andhemeanttofulfilitwithcuttingsarcasm。Thetopcontinuedthewhirlingmotionimpartedtoitbytheoldmaid’slash。
LaPeyradetookaseatattheroundtable。Ashewaspuzzledtoknowwhatwascoming，heendeavoredtoseemunconcerned，andpickingupthelargescissorsusedfortheloanswhichallpapersmakefromthecolumnsoftheirbrethrenofthepress，hebegantosnipupasheetofpaper，onwhich，inThuillier’shandwriting，wasanattemptataleadingarticle，nevercompleted。
ThoughlaPeyradewasseatedandexpectant，Thuillierdidnotbeginimmediately；heroseandwenttowardthedoorwhichstoodajar，withtheintentionofclosingit。Butsuddenlyitwasflungwideopen，andCoffinetappeared。
\"Willmonsieur，\"saidCoffinettolaPeyrade，\"receivetwoladies？
Theyareverywell—dressed，andtheyoungoneain’ttobedespised。\"
\"ShallIletthemin？\"saidlaPeyradetoThuillier。
\"Yes，sincetheyarehere，\"growledThuillier；\"butgetridofthemassoonaspossible。\"
Coffinet’sjudgmentonthetoiletofthetwovisitorsneedsrevision。
Awomaniswell—dressed，notwhenshewearsrichclothes，butwhenherclothespresentacertainharmonyofshapesandcolorswhichformanappropriateandgracefulenvelopetoherperson。Nowabonnetwithaflaringbrim，surmountedbynoddingplumes，animmenseFrenchcashmereshawl，wornwiththeawkwardinexperienceofayoungbride，aplaidsilkgownwithenormouschecksandatripletierofflounceswithfartoomanychainsandtrinkets（thoughtobejust，thebootsandgloveswereirreproachable），constitutedtheappareloftheyoungeroftheseladies。Asfortheother，whoseemedtobeinthetowofherdressycompanion，shewasshort，squat，andhigh—colored，andworeabonnet，shawl，andgownwhichapractisedeyewouldatoncehaverecognizedassecondhand。Mothersofactressesarealwaysclothedbythisveryeconomicalprocess。Theirgarments，condemnedtotheserviceoftwogenerations，reversetheorderofthings，andgofromdescendantstoancestors。
Advancingtwochairs，laPeyradeinquired，\"TowhomhaveIthehonorofspeaking？\"
\"Monsieur，\"saidtheyoungervisitor，\"Iamadramaticartist，andasIamabouttomakemyfirstappearanceinthisquarter，Iallowmyselftohopethatajournalofthislocalitywillfavorme。\"
\"Atwhattheatre？\"askedlaPeyrade。
\"TheFolies，whereIamengagedfortheDejazets。\"
\"TheFolies？\"echoedlaPeyrade，inatonethatdemandedanexplanation。
\"Folies—Dramatiques，\"interposedtheagreeableMadameCardinal，whomthereaderhasdoubtlessrecognized。
\"Whendoyouappear？\"askedlaPeyrade。
\"Nextweek，monsieur，——afairypieceinwhichIplayfiveparts。\"
\"You’llencourageher，monsieur，won’tyou？\"saidMadameCardinal，inacoaxingvoice；\"she’ssoyoung，andIcancertifysheworksdayandnight。\"
\"Mother！\"saidOlympe，withauthority，\"thepublicwilljudgeme；allIwantisthatmonsieurwillkindlypromisetonoticemydebut。\"
\"Verygood，mademoiselle，\"saidlaPeyradeinatoneofdismissal，beginningtoedgethepairtothedoor。
OlympeCardinalwentfirst，leavinghermothertohurryafterherasbestshecould。
\"Athometonoone！\"criedThuilliertotheoffice—boyasheclosedthedoorandslippedthebolt。\"Now，\"hesaid，addressinglaPeyrade，\"wewilltalk。Mydearfellow，\"hewenton，startingwithirony，forherememberedtohaveheardthatnothingwasmoreconfusingtoanadversary，\"Ihaveheardsomethingthatwillgiveyoupleasure。IknownowwhyMYpamphletwasseized。\"
Sosaying，helookedfixedlyatlaPeyrade。
\"Parbleu！\"saidthelatterinanaturaltoneofvoice，\"itwasseizedbecausetheychosetoseizeit。Theywantedtofind，andtheyfound，becausetheyalwaysfindthethingstheywant，whattheking’sadherentscall’subversivedoctrine。’\"
\"No，youarewrong，\"saidThuillier；\"theseizurewasplanned，concocted，andagreeduponbeforepublication。\"
\"Betweenwhom？\"askedlaPeyrade。
\"Betweenthosewhowantedtokillthepamphlet，andthewretcheswhowerepaidtobetrayit。\"
\"Well，inanycase，thosewhopaid，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"gotmightylittlefortheirmoney；for，persecutedthoughitwas，Idon’tseethatyourpamphletmademuchofastir。\"
\"Thosewhosoldmayhavedonebetter？\"saidThuillierwithredoubledirony。
\"Thosewhosold，\"returnedlaPeyrade，\"weretheclevererofthetwo。\"
\"Ah，Iknow，\"saidThuillier，\"thatyouthinkagreatdealofcleverness；butallowmetotellyouthatthepolice，whosehandIseeinallthis，doesn’tusuallythrowitsmoneyaway。\"
AndagainhelookedfixedlyatlaPeyrade。
\"So，\"saidthebarrister，withoutwinking，\"youhavediscoveredthatthepolicehadplottedinadvancethesmotheringofyourpamphlet？\"
\"Yes，mydearfellow；andwhatismore，Iknowtheactualsumpaidtothepersonwhoagreedtocarryoutthishonorableplot。\"
\"Theperson，\"saidlaPeyrade，thinkingamoment，——\"perhapsIknowtheperson；butasforthemoney，Idon’tknowawordaboutthat。\"
\"Well，Icantellyoutheamount。Itwastwenty—five——thousand——
francs，\"saidThuillier，dwellingoneachword；\"thatwasthesumpaidtoJudas。\"
\"Oh！excuseme，mydearfellow，buttwenty—fivethousandfrancsisagooddealofmoney。Idon’tdenythatyouhavebecomeanimportantman；butyouarenotsuchabugbeartothegovernmentastoleadittomakesuchsacrifices。Twenty—fivethousandfrancsisasmuchaswouldeverbegivenforthesuppressionofoneofthoseannoyingpamphletsabouttheCivillist。Butourfinanciallucubrationsdidn’tannoyinthatway；andsuchasumborrowedfromthesecret—servicemoneyforthemerepleasureofplaguingyou，seemstomeratherfabulous。\"