it by the advantages of the situation. He allowed her to
serve him as much as she desired, and she desired it passionately. Little
by little she had persuaded her uncle that M. de Camors was destined by
his character and talents for a great future, and that he would, one day,
be an excellent match for Marie; that he was becoming daily more attached
to agriculture, which turned toward decentralization, and that he should
be attached by firmer bonds to a province which he would honor. While
this was going on General Campvallon brought the Marquise to present her
to Madame de Tecle; and in a confidential interview with M. des Rameures
unmasked his batteries. He was going to Italy to remain some time, but
desired first to tender his resignation, and to recommend Camors to his
faithful electors.

M. des Rameures, gained over beforehand, promised his aid; and that aid
was equivalent to success. Camors had only to make some personal visits
to the more influential electors; but his appearance was as seductive as
it was striking, and he was one of those fortunate men who can win a
heart or a vote by a smile. Finally, to comply with the requisitions, he
established himself for several weeks in the chief town of the
department. He made his court to the wife of the prefect, sufficiently to
flatter the functionary without disquieting the husband. The prefect
informed the minister that the claims of the Comte de Camors were pressed
upon the department by an irresistible influence; that the politics of
the young Count appeared undecided and a little suspicious, but that the
administration, finding it useless to oppose, thought it more politic to
sustain him.

The minister, not less politic than the prefect, was of the same opinion.

In consequence of this combination of circumstances, M. de Camors, toward
the end of his twenty-eighth year, was elected, at intervals of a few
days, member of the Council-General, and deputy to the Corps Legislatif.

"You have desired it, my dear Elise," said M. des Rameures, on learning
this double result "you have desired it, and I have supported this young
Parisian with all my influence. But I must say, he does not possess my
confidence. May we never regret our triumph. May we never have to say
with the poet: 'Vita Dais oxidated Malians.'"--[The evil gods have heard
our vows.]

CHAPTER XI

NEW MAN OF THE NEW EMPIRE

It was now five years since the electors of Reuilly had sent the Comte de