icated than any concern or
vanity of mine. In the first place, the matter lies entirely with the
Marshal. And then, my good fellow, we are blamed for so many things,
that one more or less! We are not at the maiden stage in our experience
of fault-finding. Under the Restoration, men were put in simply to give
them places, without any regard for the office.--We are old friends----"

"Yes," the Baron put in; "and it is in order not to impair our old and
valued friendship that I--"

"Well, well," said the departmental manager, seeing Hulot's face clouded
with embarrassment, "I will take myself off, old fellow.--But I warn
you! you have enemies--that is to say, men who covet your splendid
appointment, and you have but one anchor out. Now if, like me, you were
a Deputy, you would have nothing to fear; so mind what you are about."

This speech, in the most friendly spirit, made a deep impression on the
Councillor of State.

"But, after all, Roger, what is it that is wrong? Do not make any
mysteries with me."

The individual addressed as Roger looked at Hulot, took his hand, and
pressed it.

"We are such old friends, that I am bound to give you warning. If you
want to keep your place, you must make a bed for yourself, and instead
of asking the Marshal to give Coquet's place to Marneffe, in your place
I would beg him to use his influence to reserve a seat for me on the
General Council of State; there you may die in peace, and, like the
beaver, abandon all else to the pursuers."

"What, do you think the Marshal would forget--"

"The Marshal has already taken your part so warmly at a General Meeting
of the Ministers, that you will not now be turned out; but it was
seriously discussed! So give them no excuse. I can say no more. At this
moment you may make your own terms; you may sit on the Council of State
and be made a Peer of the Chamber. If you delay too long, if you give
any one a hold against you, I can answer for nothing.--Now, am I to go?"

"Wait a little. I will see the Marshal," replied Hulot, "and I will send
my brother to see which way the wind blows at headquarters."

The humor in which the Baron came back to Madame Marneffe's may be
imagined; he had almost forgotten his fatherhood, for Roger had taken
the part of a true and kind friend in explaining the position. At
the same time Valerie's influence was so great that, by the middle
of dinner, the Baron was tuned up to the pitch, and was all the more
cheerfu