ery little about the firm of Popinot; and
Birotteau, perceiving that he had made a false move, stopped short;
then, alarmed by the silence, he resumed, "As for the interest, we--"

"Yes, yes," said the banker, "the matter can be arranged; don't doubt my
desire to be of service to you. Busy as I am,--for I have the finances
of Europe on my shoulders, and the Chamber takes all my time,--you will
not be surprised to hear that I leave the vast bulk of our affairs to
the examination of others. Go and see my brother Adolphe, downstairs;
explain to him the nature of your securities; if he approves of the
operation, come back here with him to-morrow or the day after, at five
in the morning,--the hour at which I examine into certain business
matters. We shall be proud and happy to obtain your confidence. You are
one of those consistent royalists with whom, of course, we are political
enemies, but whose good-will is always flattering--"

"Monsieur," said Cesar, elated by this specimen of tribune eloquence, "I
trust I am as worthy of the honor you do me as I was of the signal and
royal favor which I earned by my services on the Bench of commerce, and
by fighting--"

"Yes, yes," interrupted the banker, "your reputation is a passport,
Monsieur Birotteau. You will, of course, propose nothing that is not
feasible, and you can depend on our co-operation."

A lady, Madame Keller, one of the two daughters of the Comte de
Gondreville, here opened a door which Birotteau had not observed.

"I hope to see you before you go the Chamber," she said.

"It is two o'clock," exclaimed the banker; "the battle has begun.
Excuse me, monsieur, it is a question of upsetting the ministry. See my
brother--"

He conducted the perfumer to the door of the salon, and said to one of
the servants, "Show monsieur the way to Monsieur Adolphe."

As Cesar traversed a labyrinth of staircases, under the guidance of a
man in livery, towards an office far less sumptuous but more useful than
that of the head of the house, feeling himself astride the gentle steed
of hope, he stroked his chin, and augured well from the flatteries of
the great man. He regretted that an enemy of the Bourbons should be so
gracious, so able, so fine an orator.

Full of these illusions he entered a cold bare room, furnished with
two desks on rollers, some shabby armchairs, a threadbare carpet, and
curtains that were much neglected. This cabinet was to that of the elder
brother like a