plete success of the Coup d'Etat. Paris was subdued,
the provinces generally speaking remained quiet, and he counselled
his parents to maintain a very firm attitude in face of the partial
insurrection which was disturbing the South. In conclusion he told them
that the foundation of their fortune was laid, if they did not weaken.

Madame Rougon put the letter in her pocket, and sat down slowly, looking
into Vuillet's face. The latter had resumed his sorting in a feverish
manner, as though he were very busy.

"Listen to me, Monsieur Vuillet," she said to him. And when he raised
his head: "let us play our cards openly; you do wrong to betray us; some
misfortune may befall you. If, instead of unsealing our letters--"

At this he protested, and feigned great indignation. But she calmly
continued: "I know, I know your school, you never confess. Come, don't
let us waste any more words, what interest have you in favouring the
Coup d'Etat?"

And, as he continued to assert his perfect honesty, she at last lost
patience. "You take me for a fool!" she cried. "I've read your article.
You would do much better to act in concert with us."

Thereupon, without avowing anything, he flatly submitted that he wished
to have the custom of the college. Formerly it was he who had supplied
that establishment with school books. But it had become known that he
sold objectionable literature clandestinely to the pupils; for which
reason, indeed, he had almost been prosecuted at the Correctional Police
Court. Since then he had jealously longed to be received back into the
good graces of the directors.

Felicite was surprised at the modesty of his ambition, and told him so.
To open letters and risk the galleys just for the sake of selling a few
dictionaries and grammars!

"Eh!" he exclaimed in a shrill voice, "it's an assured sale of four or
five thousand francs a year. I don't aspire to impossibilities like some
people."

She did not take any notice of his last taunting words. No more was said
about his opening the letters. A treaty of alliance was concluded, by
which Vuillet engaged that he would not circulate any news or take any
step in advance, on condition that the Rougons should secure him the
custom of the college. As she was leaving, Felicite advised him not to
compromise himself any further. It would be sufficient for him to detain
the letters and distribute them only on the second day.

"What a knave," she muttered, when she reach