"Why! your minister must do a great deal, if all this comes from the ministry!" Marianne interrupted him. It was no business of his to mix himself up with matters that did not concern him. Above all, he must hold his tongue. Did he forget that Vaudrey was married? The least indiscretion-- "Oh! don't alarm yourself," the painter broke in, "I am as dumb as a carp, the more so since your escapade is not very praiseworthy!--For you have, in fact, deserted the domestic hearth--yes, you have deserted the hearth.--It is pretty here, a little like a courtesan's, perhaps, but pretty, all the same.--But you must acknowledge that it is a case of interloping. It is not the genuine home with its dignity, its virtuous severity, its--What time does your minister come? I would like to speak to him--" "To preach morality to him?" asked Marianne, glancing at her uncle with an ironical expression. "Not at all. I am considered to be ignorant--No, I have a plan to decorate in a uniform way, all the mayors' offices in Paris and I want to propose it to him--_The Modern Marriage_, an allegorical treatment!--_Law Imposing Duty on Love_. Something noble, full of expression, moralizing. Art that will set people thinking, for the contemplation of lofty works can alone improve the morals and the masses--You understand?" "Perfectly. You want a commission!" "Ah! that's a contemptible word, hold! A commission! Is a true artist commissioned? He obeys his inspiration, he follows his ideal--A commission! a commission! Ugh!--On my word, you would break the wings of faith! Little one, have you any of that double zero Kummel left, that you had the other day?" Marianne sought to spare Sulpice the importunities of her uncle. She wished to keep the minister's entire influence for herself.