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that, you are not going to defend Taboureau as Barroux did. It's quitetrue that I should very much like to see Silviane at the Comedie. She's avery good girl at heart, and she has an amazing lot of talent. Would youstand in her way if you were in Taboureau's place?""I? Good heavens, no! A pretty girl on the stage, why, it would pleaseeverybody, I'm sure. Only it would be necessary to have a man of the sameviews as were at the department of Instruction and Fine Arts."His sly smile had returned to his face. The securing of that girl's_debut_ was certainly not a high price to pay for all the influence ofDuvillard's millions. Monferrand therefore turned towards Fonsegue as ifto consult him. The other, who fully understood the importance of theaffair, was meditating in all seriousness: "A senator is the proper manfor Public Instruction," said he. "But I can think of none, none at all,such as would be wanted. A man of broad mind, a real Parisian, and yetone whose presence at the head of the University wouldn't cause too muchastonishment--there's perhaps Dauvergne--""Dauvergne! Who's he?" exclaimed Monferrand in surprise. "Ah! yes,Dauvergne the senator for Dijon--but he's altogether ignorant ofUniversity matters, he hasn't the slightest qualification.""Well, as for that," resumed Fonsegue, "I'm trying to think. Dauvergne iscertainly a good-looking fellow, tall and fair and decorative. Besides,he's immensely rich, has a most charming young wife--which does no harm,on the contrary--and he gives real _fetes_ at his place on the BoulevardSt. Germain."
It was only with hesitation that Fonsegue himself had ventured to suggestDauvergne. But by degrees his selection appeared to him a real "find.""Wait a bit! I recollect now that in his young days Dauvergne wrote acomedy, a one act comedy in verse, and had it performed at Dijon. AndDijon's a literary town, you know, so that piece of his sets a littleperfume of 'Belles-Lettres' around him. And then, too, he left Dijontwenty years ago, and is a most determined Parisian, frequenting everysphere of society. Dauvergne will do whatever one desires. He's the manfor us, I tell you."
Duvillard thereupon declared that he knew him, and considered him a verydecent fellow. Besides, he or another, it mattered nothing!
"Dauvergne, Dauvergne," repeated Monferrand. "_Mon Dieu_, yes! After all,why not? He'll perhaps make a very good minister. Let us say Dauvergne."Then suddenly bursting into a hearty laugh: "And so we are reconstructingthe [domain] in order that that charming young woman may join the Comedie!
The Silviane [domain]--well, and what about the other departments?"He jested, well knowing that gaiety often hastens difficult solutions.And, indeed, they merrily continued settling what should be done if theministry were defeated on the morrow. Although they had not plainly saidso the plan was to let Barroux sink, even help him to do so, and thenfish Monferrand out of the troubled waters. The latter engaged himselfwith the two others, because he had need of them, the Baron on account ofhis financial sovereignty, and the director of "Le Globe" on account ofthe press campaign which he could carry on in his favour. And in the samethe Silviane business, had need of
Monferrand, the strong-handed man of government, who undertook to bury
