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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
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