re-election for the general council of
Calvados was certain beforehand.

He thought proper to invite the leading personages in the district to a
luncheon.

The vestibule in which three servants were waiting to take their
overcoats, the billiard-room and the pair of drawing-rooms, the plants
in china vases, the bronzes on the mantel-shelves, the gold wands on
the panelled walls, the heavy curtains, the wide armchairs--this display
of luxury struck them at once as a mark of courtesy towards them; and,
when they entered the dining-room, at the sight of the table laden with
meats in silver dishes, together with the row of glasses before each
plate, the side-dishes here and there, and a salmon in the middle, every
face brightened up.

The party numbered seventeen, including two sturdy agriculturists, the
sub-prefect of Bayeux and one person from Cherbourg. M. de Faverges
begged his guests to excuse the countess, who was absent owing to a
headache; and, after some commendations of the pears and grapes, which
filled four baskets at the corners, he asked about the great news--the
project of a descent on England by Changarnier.

Heurtaux desired it as a soldier, the cure through hatred of the
Protestants, and Foureau in the interests of commerce.

"You are giving expression," said Pecuchet, "to the sentiments of the
Middle Ages."

"The Middle Ages had their good side," returned Marescot. "For instance,
our cathedrals."

"However, sir, the abuses----"

"No matter--the Revolution would not have come."

"Ha! the Revolution--there's the misfortune," said the ecclesiastic with
a sigh.

"But everyone contributed towards it, and (excuse me, Monsieur le Comte)
the nobles themselves by their alliance with the philosophers."

"What is it you want? Louis XVIII. legalised spoliation. Since that time
the parliamentary system is sapping the foundations."

A joint of roast beef made its appearance, and for some minutes nothing
was heard save the sounds made by forks and moving jaws, and by the
servants crossing the floor with the two words on their lips, which they
repeated continually:

"Madeira! Sauterne!"

The conversation was resumed by the gentleman from Cherbourg:

"How were they to stop on the slope of an abyss?"

"Amongst the Athenians," said Marescot--"amongst the Athenians, towards
whom we bear certain resemblances, Solon checkmated the democrats by
raising the electoral census."

"It would be better," said Hur