“When you were nominated to the municipal council, where was the plan mooted?” asked the publisher. “Parbleu! in my own house,” replied Thuillier. “Yes, of course, in your own house, but at a dinner, followed by a ball, and the ball itself crowned by a supper. Well, my dear master, there are no two ways to do this business; Boileau says:-- “‘All is done through the palate, and not through the mind; And it is by our dinners we govern mankind.’” “Then you think I ought to give a dinner to those journalists?” “Yes; but not at your own house; for these journalists, you see, if women are present, get stupid; they have to behave themselves. And, besides, it isn’t dinner they want, but a breakfast--that suits them best. In the evening these gentlemen have to go to first representations, and make up their papers, not to speak of their own little private doings; whereas in the mornings they have nothing to think about. As for me, it is always breakfasts that I give.” “But that costs money, breakfasts like that,” said Thuillier; “journalists are gourmands.” “Bah! twenty francs a head, without wine. Say you have ten of them; three hundred francs will see you handsomely through the whole thing. In fact, as a matter of economy, breakfasts are preferable; for a dinner you wouldn’t get off under five hundred francs.” “How you talk, young man!” said Thuillier. “Oh, hang it! everybody knows it costs dear to get elected to the Chamber; and all this favors your nomination.” “But how can I invite those gentlemen? Must I go and see them myself?” “Certainly not; send them your pamphlet and appoint them to meet you at Philippe’s or Vefour’s--they’ll understand perfectly.” “Ten guests,” said Thuillier, beginning to enter into the idea. “I did not know there were so many leading journals.” “There are not,” said the publisher; “but we must have the little dogs as well, for they bark loudest. This breakfast is certain to make a noise, and if you don’t ask them they’ll think you pick and choose, and everyone excluded will be your enemy.” “Then you think it is enough merely to send the invitations?” “Yes; I’ll make the list, and you can write the notes and send them to me. I’ll see that they are delivered; some of them I shall take in person.” “If I were sure,” said Thuillier, undecidedly, “that this expense would have the desired effect--” “_If I were sure_,--that’s a queer thing to say,” said Barbet. “My dear master, this is money placed on mortgage; for it, I will guarantee the sale of fifteen hundred copies,--say at forty sous apiece; allowing the discounts, that makes three thousand francs. You see that your costs and extra costs are covered, and more than covered.” “Well,” said Thuillier, turning to go, “I’ll talk to la Peyrade about it.”