wife's side. He had with him a brown morocco portfolio, which he kept
upon his knees. Rougon sat opposite Clorinde, and carried nothing. It
was nearly half-past nine, and the council was fixed for ten, so the
coachman was ordered to drive as quickly as he could. To make a short
cut, therefore, he went along the Rue Marbeuf, and thence through the
Chaillot district, which the demolishers were already ripping up.
There were deserted streets fringed with gardens and wooden shanties,
steep winding passages and little neglected squares, planted with
sickly-looking trees. It was a strange patch of the great city, a
medley of villas and cabins, basking on a hill-side in the bright
morning sunshine.
'How hideous it is here!' said Clorinde, lying back in the landau.
Then, half-turning, she glanced at her husband, at first gravely,
but afterwards, as though she could not help it, she began to smile.
Delestang, with his frock coat buttoned round him, was sitting primly
erect. His handsome, thoughtful face, and premature baldness, which
gave an appearance of great height to his brow, attracted the attention
of the passers-by. Clorinde noticed that no one looked at Rougon,
whose heavy face seemed to be asleep. Presently, in a sort of maternal
manner, she pulled her husband's left wristband forward a little, as it
had slipped back inside his sleeve.
'What were you doing last night?' she then asked of the great man, as
she saw him yawning behind his fingers.
'I was working very late,' he said. 'There were a lot of tiresome
things to see to.'
There was another pause, and Clorinde began to study Rougon. He yielded
unresistingly to the slight jolting of the carriage. His frock-coat was
strained out of shape by his broad shoulders, and his hat was badly
brushed, and bore marks of old rain stains. He reminded Clorinde of
a jobber from whom she had bought a horse a month previously, and a
smile, with which was mingled a touch of contempt, appeared upon her
lips.
'Well?' said Rougon, at last, feeling somewhat annoyed by Clorinde's
prolonged scrutiny.
'Well,' she replied, 'I'm looking at you. It isn't forbidden to do so,
is it? You're not afraid that I shall eat you, are you?'
She spoke these last words with a provoking air, showing her white
teeth. Rougon, however, began to joke. 'I'm too big for that,' he said;
'you wouldn't be able to get me down.'
'Oh, I don't know that, if I were very hungry,' she gravely answered,
after apparently considering her appetite.
The landau was now reaching the Porte de la Muette. Here, on emerging
from the narrow streets of the Chaillot district, the horizon suddenly
spread out over the light verdure of the Bois de Boulogne. It was a
lovely morning, and the distant turf was steeped in golden light,
while the young leaves on the trees rustled gently in the warm air.
They left the deer-park on their right, and took the gravelled avenue
leading to Saint Cloud. The landau now rolled on without a jolt, as
lightly and softly as a sledge gliding through the snow.
'How nasty those streets were!' said Clorinde, as she lolled back.
'Well, we can breathe here, and talk. Have you any news of our friend
Du Poizat?'
'Yes, he's very well,' Rougon replied.
'And does he still like his department?'
Rougon made a vague gesture, not wishing to give her any definite
reply. She was aware, however, that the prefect of Deux-Sèvres was
becoming a source of some trouble to him, on account of the severity
of his administration. Without pressing the point she next began to
talk of M. Kahn, and Madame Correur, and finally, with a touch of
mischievous curiosity, she asked Rougon about his visit to Niort. Then
she broke off to say: 'By the way, I met Colonel Jobelin and his cousin
Monsieur Bouchard yesterday. We talked about you. Yes, we talked about
you.'
Rougon still kept silent, with his shoulders bowed. To rouse him,
Clorinde began to speak of the past. 'Do you remember our pleasant
little evenings in the Rue Marbeuf?' she inquired. 'Now you are so
busy that we can't get near you. Your friends complain about it. They
say that you are forgetting them. I'm always quite frank, you know,
and conceal nothing. Well, to tell the truth, they say that you are
deserting them, my dear fellow.'
At this moment, the carriage, which had just passed between the two
lakes, encountered a brougham on its way back to Paris, and through the
window of the latter vehicle a glimpse was caught of a sulky-looking
face, which hastily withdrew, as if to avoid the necessity of bowing.
'Why, it's your brother-in-law!' exclaimed Clorinde.
'Yes, he's not very well,' replied Rougon, with a smile. 'His doctor
has ordered him to take morning drives.'
Then he suddenly threw off his reserve, and began to talk freely, while
the landau sped along beneath the tall trees of the gently curving
avenue.
'What would you have?' said he. 'I can't give them the moon, however
much they may cry for it! Take Beulin-d'Orchère, for instance, his
dream is to be Minister of Justice. I have tried to effect the
impossible, and have sounded the Emperor on the subject; but I can't
get any answer. I fancy, however, that the Emperor feels afraid of him.
Well, that isn't my fault, is it? Beulin-d'Orchère is first President
of the Appeal Court. That really ought to satisfy him for the present.
And yet, you see, he actually avoids bowing to me. He's a fool!'
Clorinde had lowered her eyes, and her fingers were playing with the
tassel of her sun-shade. She now made no attempt to speak, but let
Rougon talk on freely.
'The others,' said he, 'are almost as unreasonable. If the colonel
and Bouchard complain of me, they do wrong, for I have already done
too much for them. I say that for all my friends. I've got a dozen
mill-stones about my neck! Till they've got the very skin off my body
they won't be satisfied!' He paused for a moment, and then resumed with
a good-natured laugh: 'Well, well, if they really needed something
more, I would give it to them. When a man has once opened his hands it
is impossible for him to shut them again. In spite of all the unkind
things my friends say of me, I spend my time in asking favours of all
sorts for them.'
Then he touched Clorinde's knee to force her to look at him.
'Well, now, about yourself!' he continued. 'I am going to talk to the
Emperor this morning. Is there anything that I can ask for you?'
'No, thank you,' she answered drily. And as he still persisted in his
offers, she grew a little vexed, and accused him of reproaching herself
and her husband with the few services he had already rendered them.
They would not trouble him in future, said she. 'I manage my affairs
myself now,' she added. 'I'm big enough to get on by myself, am I not?'
Meantime the carriage had emerged from the Bois. It was now passing
through Boulogne amid the clatter of several heavy carts, which were
jolting along the high street. Delestang had been silent ever since the
start, keeping his hands upon his morocco portfolio, and apparently
absorbed in momentous thoughts. However, he now bent forward and called
to Rougon amidst the uproar: 'Do you think that his Majesty will keep
us to _déjeuner_?'
Rougon made a gesture expressive of doubt. Then he exclaimed: 'We do
generally have _déjeuner_ at the palace when the council is a long one.'
Delestang fell back into his corner, and once more appeared to be
absorbed in a very serious reverie. Presently he bent forward again,
to ask: 'Will there be much business before the council this morning?'
'Perhaps so,' answered Rougon. 'But one can never tell beforehand.
Several of our colleagues, I fancy, are going to report on certain
important matters. For my own part, at any rate, I intend to raise the
question of that book about which I am in dispute with the Licensing
Committee.'[16]
'What book is that?' asked Clorinde eagerly.
'Oh! an idiotic publication; one of those volumes which are got up
for circulation amongst the peasantry. It is called "Friend Jacques's
Evening Chats." It is a mixture of socialism, witchcraft, and
agriculture; and there's even a chapter on the advantages of trades'
unions. Briefly, it is a very dangerous book!'
The young woman, whose curiosity did not seem quite satisfied, turned
to her husband as if to question him.
'You are over severe, Rougon,' said Delestang. 'I have looked at
the book, and have found some good matter in it. The chapter on the
advantages accruing from the association of labour is very good, I
think. I shall be surprised if the Emperor condemns the ideas contained
in it.'
Rougon was about to reply hotly, and opened his arms with a gesture
of protest. But he suddenly restrained himself, as though he did not
want to discuss the matter further. And instead of speaking, he glanced
at the country through which they were passing. The landau was now
half-way across the bridge of Saint Cloud. Down below, the pale blue
river was flowing sleepily, shimmering in the sunshine; the rows of
trees along the banks being vigorously reflected in the water. Above
and below steam climbed the sky, so whitened by the limpidity of
springtide that scarcely a touch of blue could be seen.
When the carriage stopped in the courtyard of the château Rougon
alighted first and offered his hand to Clorinde. But the young woman
would not avail herself of his proffered support; she sprang lightly to
the ground, and as he remained there still holding out his arm for her
acceptance, she gently tapped his fingers with her parasol, saying:
'Didn't I tell you that I was big enough to manage by myself, now?'
She seemed to have lost all her old respect for her master's huge hands
which she had so often held with disciple-like submission so as to
drain away a little of their strength. Doubtless she now fancied that
she had weakened him sufficiently, for she no longer displayed as of
yore any adorable cajolery. She, in her turn, had acquired influence,
and was becoming a power. When Delestang had got out of the carriage,
she allowed Rougon to go on before them, and whispered in her husband's
ear: 'I hope you won't try to prevent him from getting into a tangle
with his "Friend Jacques." It will give you a good opportunity of not
always appearing to say the very same as he does.'
In the entrance-hall, before leaving Delestang, Clorinde gave him a
careful glance, and was worried to see one of the buttons of his coat
hanging a little loosely. Then, while an usher went to inform the
Empress of her arrival, she smilingly watched Rougon and her husband
take themselves off.
The ministerial council was held in a room near the Emperor's private
study. In the centre stood a large cloth-covered table surrounded by
a dozen arm-chairs. The high windows admitted a bright light from the
terrace of the château. When Rougon and Delestang entered the room,
they found all their colleagues already assembled there, with the
exception of the Minister for Public Works and the Naval and Colonial
Minister, who were on leave of absence. The Emperor had not yet made
his appearance, and for ten minutes or so the ministers chatted
together, standing by the windows and about the table. Two of them had
scowling faces, and so cordially detested each other that they never
exchanged a word, but all the rest were talking amicably and easily,
till serious matters should demand their attention. Paris was just then
much interested in an embassy from the extreme east, the members of
which wore fantastic costumes, and indulged in the most extraordinary
modes of salutation. The Minister for Foreign Affairs related a visit
which he had paid to the chief of this embassy on the previous evening;
and while speaking with due regard for his position as head of the
diplomatic service, he contrived to indulge in some light sarcasm at
the envoy's expense. Then the conversation turned upon more frivolous
matters, and the Minister of State[17] furnished some particulars
respecting the condition of a ballet girl of the opera-house who
had narrowly escaped breaking her leg. However, amidst all this
apparent unrestraint the ministers remained alert and distrustful of
one another, wording certain of their sentences with extreme care,
recalling at times half-uttered words, keeping a watchful look-out even
as they smiled, and suddenly becoming serious as soon as they noticed
that they were being observed.
'Then it was a mere sprain?' said Delestang, who took a great interest
in the ladies of the ballet.
'Yes, a sprain,' replied the Minister of State. 'The poor girl will
simply have to keep her room for a fortnight. However, she feels very
much ashamed of herself for having fallen.'
A slight stir now caused the ministers to turn, and they all bowed. The
Emperor had just entered the room. He stood for a moment leaning upon
the back of his arm-chair. Then, in his low deliberate voice, he asked:
'Is she better?'
'Much better, sire,' replied the minister, bowing again. 'I heard about
her this morning.'
At a sign from the Emperor, the members of the council took their seats
round the table. There were nine of them. Some of them spread out
papers, while the others sat back in their chairs and began to examine
their nails. There was silence for a while. The Emperor seemed unwell;
and with lifeless face he slowly twisted the waxed ends of his long
moustache. Then, as no one spoke, he appeared to recollect something
and remarked: 'Gentlemen, the session of the Corps Législatif is about
to end----'
The budget, which the Chamber had just voted in five days, was the
first subject which engaged the attention of the council. The Minister
of Finance mentioned the desires which the reporter of the Chamber had
expressed. For the first time, indeed, the Chamber had indulged in
criticism, and its reporter had asked that the sinking fund regulations
might be properly carried out, and that the government would in
future content itself with the supplies as voted, without constantly
applying for supplementary credits. Moreover, some members of the
Chamber had complained of the little weight which was attached to their
observations by the Council of State, and one of them had even gone
so far as to claim for the Corps Législatif the right to prepare the
budget.
'In my opinion,' said the Finance Minister, concluding his remarks,
'there is no ground whatever for such claims. The government always
observes the greatest desire for economy in preparing its budgets, and
so true is this that the Committee of the Chamber had no end of trouble
to effect a paltry saving of a couple of millions of francs. Still, I
think it would perhaps be advisable to postpone the application for
three supplementary votes of credit which we contemplated making. A
transfer of funds will provide us with the necessary money for the time
being, and matters can be put straight later on.'[18]
The Emperor nodded assent. However, he hardly seemed to be listening to
what was said. There was a blank, listless look about his eyes, as he
sat gazing at the bright light which was streaming through the middle
window in front of him. There came another interval of silence. All
the ministers followed the Emperor in nodding their approval, and for
a moment or two only a slight rustling could be heard. The Minister
of Justice and Keeper of the Seals was turning over some leaves of
manuscript. At last when he had consulted his colleagues with a glance,
he began: 'Sire, I have brought with me a memorandum relating to the
creation of a new nobility. As yet it consists merely of some rough
notes, which I thought it would be advisable to put before the council
before proceeding any further in the matter, in order that I may profit
by any hint----'
'Yes, yes; read it,' interrupted the Emperor. 'You are quite right.'
Then he turned so as to look at the minister while the latter read the
memorandum. He seemed more animated now; a yellow light had come into
his grey eyes.
The Court was at that time extremely interested in this scheme for
a new nobility. The government had begun by submitting to the Corps
Législatif a bill which punished with fine and imprisonment anyone who
might assume any title of nobility without being entitled to do so.
It was a question of giving official sanction to the old titles, and
of thus preparing the way for new ones. However, this bill had given
rise to a heated discussion in the Chamber. Some deputies, though
enthusiastically devoted to the empire, had protested that a nobility
could not exist in a democratic state; and, when a division was taken,
twenty-three votes had been given against the bill. The Emperor,
however, still clung to his dream; and he himself had suggested some
very comprehensive ideas to the Minister of Justice.
The memorandum commenced by some historical references. Then the
projected scheme was detailed at length. Titles were to be conferred
for different kinds of public service, so as to make the new honours
accessible to all deserving citizens, a democratic arrangement which
seemed to fill the minister with great enthusiasm. Then a draft of
the proposed decree was set out, and when the minister came to the
second clause of it he raised his voice and read on very slowly: 'The
title of Count shall be conferred upon the following persons after
five years' service in their respective functions or dignities, or
after we may have bestowed upon them the grand cross of the Legion of
Honour: namely, our ministers and the members of our Privy Council,
the cardinals, marshals, admirals, senators, and ambassadors, and such
of the generals of division as shall have held a chief command in the
field.'
The minister paused for a moment, and cast a questioning glance at
the Emperor as if to ask whether he had omitted anyone. His Majesty
reflected, with his head slightly inclined towards his left shoulder.
'I think we must include the Presidents of the Corps Législatif and the
Council of State,' he said, after a pause.
The Minister of Justice nodded approbation, and hastily made a note
on the margin of his manuscript. Just as he was about to resume his
reading, he was interrupted by the Minister for Public Education and
Worship, who wanted to call attention to an omission.
'The archbishops----' he began.
'Excuse me,' interrupted the Minister of Justice drily, 'the
archbishops are to be merely barons. Let me read the whole of the
decree.'
However, his papers had got mixed, and he spent some time in looking
for the next leaf. Rougon, who sat there with his elbows spread out and
his thick neck sinking between his broad peasant shoulders, was faintly
smiling; and, as he turned round, he caught sight of his neighbour, the
Minister of State, the last scion of an old Norman family, likewise
indulging in a quiet smile of contempt. A significant glance passed
between them. The parvenu and the nobleman were evidently of the same
way of thinking.
'Ah, here it is!' exclaimed the Minister of Justice at last. 'Clause
III. The title of baron shall be conferred, firstly, upon such members
of the Corps Législatif as shall have been honoured three times with
the confidence of their fellow-citizens; secondly, upon members of
the Council of State of eight years' standing; thirdly, upon the
first president and the public prosecutor of the Supreme Court, upon
the first president and public prosecutor of the Exchequer Court,
upon the generals of division and vice admirals, upon the archbishops
and ministers-plenipotentiary, after five years' service in their
respective offices, or if they have attained the rank of commander in
the Legion of Honour----'
And so the minister read on. The first presidents and public
prosecutors of the appeal courts, the generals of brigade and
rear-admirals, the bishops, and even the mayors of the chief cities of
first-class prefectures, were in their turn all to be made barons, but
on condition that they had served in their respective offices for ten
years.
'Then everybody will be a baron,' murmured Rougon.
At this some of his colleagues, who affected to consider him a very
ill-bred man, assumed grave expressions, so as to make him understand
that they thought his remark in very bad taste. The Emperor, however,
did not seem to have heard.
'Well, gentlemen, what do you think of the scheme?' his Majesty asked,
when the keeper of the seals had finished his perusal.
They all hesitated, waiting as it were for a more direct question.
'Monsieur Rougon,' resumed the Emperor, 'what is your opinion?'
'Well, sire,' replied the Minister of the Interior, with his quiet
smile, 'I cannot say that I think very favourably of it. It is exposed
to the greatest of all dangers, that is to say, to ridicule. I am
afraid that all those barons will merely raise a laugh. I say nothing
about more serious matters, such as the sentiment of equality which is
so much in the ascendant at the present time, or the vanity which such
a system would tend to develop----'
But when he had got thus far he was interrupted by the Minister of
Justice, who seemed greatly put out, and began to defend himself as
though a personal attack had been made upon him. He said that he was
a middle-class man himself, and the son of a middle-class father, and
was quite incapable of attempting anything to impair the principles of
equality held by modern society. The new nobility was going to be a
'democratic nobility,' and this expression 'democratic nobility' seemed
to convey his idea so perfectly that he repeated it several times over.
Then Rougon briefly replied, still smiling and unruffled. But the
Minister of Justice, a little lean, dark man, at last began to indulge
in somewhat offensive personalities. The Emperor meantime held himself
aloof from the dispute, and with a slight swaying of the shoulders,
again gazed at the sunlight streaming through the window in front
of him. However, when the voices of the others finally grew so loud
as to interfere with his sense of dignity, he murmured: 'Gentlemen,
gentlemen.' And after a pause, he added: 'Monsieur Rougon is perhaps
right. The scheme is not quite ripe yet. We shall have to consider if
it cannot be put upon another basis. We can see to that later on.'
Then the council took some minor matters in hand. The newspaper _Le
Siècle_ became the subject of a deal of talk, for it had just published
an article which had given great offence at Court. A week never
passed without those about the Emperor entreating him to suppress
this journal, which was the only Republican organ still in existence.
His Majesty, however, was personally inclined to be indulgent towards
the press, and often amused himself, in the secrecy of his study, by
writing long articles in reply to the attacks which were made upon his
government. An unacknowledged dream of his was to have a newspaper of
his own, in which he might publish manifestoes and engage in polemical
discussions. However, he that day decided that a warning should be
addressed to the _Siècle_.
Their excellencies now thought that the council was over, as was
evident from the manner in which they sat on the very edges of their
chairs. Indeed, the Minister for War, a general who looked very much
bored, and who had not spoken a word during the whole sitting, had
already taken his gloves from his pocket, when Rougon leant heavily on
the table.
'Sire,' he said, 'I desire to speak to the council of a conflict which
has arisen between the licensing committee and myself with respect to a
book which has been presented for authorisation.'
The other ministers thereupon ensconced themselves in their chairs
again. The Emperor turned towards Rougon and with a nod authorised him
to continue.