r d'Eyzelles, erect under iron-gray hair
sparkling with diamonds. The bloom of her cheeks heightened the austere
dignity of her attitude. She was attracting much notice. It had been
learned in the morning that, after the failure of Garain's latest
combination, M. Berthier-d'Eyzelles had, undertaken the task of forming
a Ministry. The papers published lists with the name of Martin-Belleme
for the treasury, and the opera-glasses were turned toward the still
empty box of the Countess Martin.

A murmur of voices filled the hall. In the third rank of the parquette,
General Lariviere, standing at his place, was talking with General de La
Briche.

"I will do as you do, my old comrade, I will go and plant cabbages in
Touraine."

He was in one of his moments of melancholy, when nothingness appeared to
him to be the end of life. He had flattered Garain, and Garain, thinking
him too clever, had preferred for Minister of War a shortsighted and
national artillery general. At least, the General relished the pleasure
of seeing Garain abandoned, betrayed by his friends Berthier-d'Eyzelles
and Martin-Belleme. It made him laugh even to the wrinkles of his small
eyes. He laughed in profile. Weary of a long life of dissimulation, he
gave to himself suddenly the joy of expressing his thoughts.

"You see, my good La Briche, they make fools of us with their civil
army, which costs a great deal, and is worth nothing. Small armies are
the only good ones. This was the opinion of Napoleon I, who knew."

"It is true, it is very true," sighed General de La Briche, with tears
in his eyes.

Montessuy passed before them; Lariviere extended his hand to him.

"They say, Montessuy, that you are the one who checked Garain. Accept my
compliments."

Montessuy denied that he had exercised any political influence. He
was not a senator nor a deputy, nor a councillor-general. And, looking
through his glasses at the hall:

"See, Lariviere, in that box at the right, a very beautiful woman, a
brunette."

And he took his seat quietly, relishing the sweets of power.

However, in the hall, in the corridors, the names of the new
Ministers went from mouth to mouth in the midst of profound
indifference: President of the Council and Minister of the Interior,
Berthier-d'Eyzelles; justice and Religions, Loyer; Treasury,
Martin-Belleme. All the ministers were known except those of Commerce,
War, and the Navy, who were not yet designated.

The curtain was rai