“You are right, monsieur,” said Olivier Vinet. “But, before manifesting itself magnificently, the bourgeoisie has other duties to fulfil towards France. The luxury you speak of should come after duty. That which seems to you so blameable is the necessity of the moment. The Chamber is far from having its full share in public affairs; the ministers are less for France than they are for the crown, and parliament has determined that the administration shall have, as in England, a strength and power of its own, and not a mere borrowed power. The day on which the administration can act for itself, and represent the Chamber as the Chamber represents the country, parliament will be found very liberal toward the crown. The whole question is there. I state it without expressing my own opinion, for the duties of my post demand, in politics, a certain fealty to the crown.” “Setting aside the political question,” replied the young man, whose voice and accent were those of a native of Provence, “it is certainly true that the bourgeoisie has ill understood its mission. We can see, any day, the great law officers, attorney-generals, peers of France in omnibuses, judges who live on their salaries, prefects without fortunes, ministers in debt! Whereas the bourgeoisie, who have seized upon those offices, ought to dignify them, as in the olden time when aristocracy dignified them, and not occupy such posts solely for the purpose of making their fortune, as scandalous disclosures have proved.” “Who is this young man?” thought Olivier Vinet. “Is he a relative? Cardot ought to have come with me on this first visit.” “Who is that little monsieur?” asked Minard of Barbet. “I have seen him here several times.” “He is a tenant,” replied Metivier, shuffling the cards. “A lawyer,” added Barbet, in a low voice, “who occupies a small apartment on the third floor front. Oh! _He_ doesn’t amount to much; he has nothing.” “What is the name of that young man?” said Olivier Vinet to Thuillier. “Theodose de la Peyrade; he is a barrister,” replied Thuillier, in a whisper. At that moment the women present, as well as the men, looked at the two young fellows, and Madame Minard remarked to Colleville:-- “He is rather good-looking, that stranger.” “I have made his anagram,” replied Colleville, “and his name, Charles-Marie-Theodose de la Peyrade, prophecies: ‘Eh! monsieur payera, de la dot, des oies et le char.’ Therefore, my dear Mamma Minard, be sure you don’t give him your daughter.” “They say that young man is better-looking than my son,” said Madame Phellion to Madame Colleville. “What do you think about it?” “Oh! in the matter of physical beauty a woman might hesitate before choosing,” replied Madame Colleville.