expression had quite vanished. He leant over the table, and, sweeping
the cloth as it were with a regular mechanical movement of his right
hand, he stated that he had determined to preside at one of the
recent meetings of the committee in order to stimulate the zeal of
its members. 'I pointed out to them,' said he, 'the views of the
government as to the improvements it was desirable for them to effect
in the important branch of the public service with which they are
entrusted. The _colportage_ system,[19] I told them, would be a source
of grave danger if it were allowed to become a weapon in the hands of
the revolutionists, and should prove a means of reviving political
discussions and ill-will. So it is the duty of the committee, I said,
to reject all publications which might foment afresh such passions
as are unsuited to the present time. It ought, on the other hand, to
encourage those healthy works which teach the worship of God, the love
of one's country, and gratitude to one's Sovereign.'
The other ministers, although very cross at being thus detained in
council, felt constrained to bow approvingly on hearing these last
words.
'The number of pernicious books increases every day,' continued Rougon.
'They form a rising flood against which we cannot take sufficiently
energetic steps for protecting our country. Out of every dozen books
that are published, eleven and a half are only fit to be thrown into
the fire. That is the average. Never before have wicked sentiments,
subversive theories, and anti-social monstrosities of all kinds,
found so many exponents. I am occasionally compelled to read certain
publications; well, I tell you----'
At this moment the Minister for Public Education ventured on an
interruption. 'Novels,' he began.
'I never read novels,' retorted Rougon drily.
His colleague made a gesture of virtuous protest, and rolled his eyes
in a shocked sort of way, as though he also repudiated all reading of
novels. Then he explained himself, saying: 'I merely wanted to remark
that novels are an especially poisonous food offered to the unhealthy
curiosity of the people.'
'Doubtless,' replied the Minister of the Interior; 'but there are
other works quite as dangerous. I am speaking of those cheap treatises
which disseminate among the peasantry and the working-classes a heap
of false social and economic science, the most evident effect of which
is to seriously disturb weak brains. A work of the kind to which I am
alluding, "Friend Jacques's Evening Chats," has just been submitted
to the committee for consideration. It is the story of a sergeant
who comes back to his native village and holds discussions with the
school-master every Sunday evening in the presence of a score of
labourers. Each discussion is upon a different subject, such as new
systems of cultivation, trades unions, and the great part which the
producer plays in society. I have read this book, to which one of the
clerks called my attention, and it seems to me to be all the more
dangerous since it veils its baleful theories beneath a pretended
admiration for the imperial institutions. No one can be deceived by
it, however; it is clearly the production of a demagogue. And so I was
extremely surprised when I heard some members of the committee speak of
it in eulogistic terms. I have discussed certain passages of it with
them, but apparently without convincing them. The author, they have
assured me, has even offered a copy of the book for your Majesty's
acceptance. On that account, sire, I thought it right, before taking
any active steps, to ask for your opinion and that of the council.'
So saying Rougon fixed his glance on the Emperor, whose shifty eyes at
last settled on a paper-knife which was lying on the table in front of
him. His Majesty took up the knife and began to turn and twist it while
murmuring: 'Yes, yes, "Friend Jacques's Evening Chats----"'
Then, without committing himself any further, he glanced to the right
and left of the table. 'You have perhaps seen the book, gentlemen. I
should be very glad to know----'
Then he stopped again. The ministers glanced furtively at one another,
each hoping that his neighbour would speak and express an opinion. The
silence, however, continued unbroken, and the feeling of constraint
increased. It seemed clear that none of them had even known of the
existence of the book. At last the Minister for War took it upon
himself to express by a gesture the general ignorance which prevailed
of the publication in question.
The Emperor twisted his moustaches, showing no sign of haste. 'Well,
Monsieur Delestang, have you anything to say?' he eventually inquired.
Delestang was restlessly moving on his chair, as though a prey to some
inward struggle. This direct question seemed to decide him; however,
before speaking, he glanced involuntarily towards Rougon. 'I have had
the book in my hands, sire,' he said.
He checked himself, feeling that Rougon's big grey eyes were fixed
upon him; but then, observing the Emperor's satisfaction, he began
to speak again, though his lips could be seen quivering slightly. 'I
regret that I find myself in disagreement with my friend and colleague
the Minister of the Interior. Certainly the publication in question
might be less sweeping in some parts and insist more than it does upon
that prudent deliberation with which all really useful progress must
be accomplished. Still, "Friend Jacques's Evening Chats" seems to me
to have been conceived with most excellent intentions. The hopes which
are expressed in it for the future evince no hostility to imperial
institutions. On the contrary, indeed, they are what the legitimate
expansion of our institutions may lead us to expect.'
He paused again. Notwithstanding the care which he had taken to turn
towards the Emperor, he could not shake off the consciousness that
Rougon was sitting on the other side of the table, leaning on his
elbows and looking at him, pale with surprise. Generally speaking,
Delestang's views were identical with those of the great man. And so
the latter had a momentary hope that a word from him might bring back
his erring disciple.
'Well, now,' he exclaimed with a frown, 'I'll just give you an example.
I'm sorry I haven't brought the book with me, but I can give you the
substance of a chapter which I remember very well. Jacques is speaking
of two beggars who go through the village soliciting alms from door to
door, and, in reply to a question from the school-master, he asserts
that he will show the peasants a way by which they will never have a
single poor person among them. Then follows a very elaborate system for
the extinction of pauperism. It contains the whole communistic theory.
Surely the Minister for Agriculture and Commerce cannot approve of that
chapter.'
Delestang summoned up all his courage and looked Rougon boldly in the
face. 'You are going too far in saying the whole communistic theory,'
he replied. 'It merely struck me as being an ingenious exposition of
the principles of combination.' He had been searching in his portfolio
as he spoke. 'I have got the book here,' he added.
Then he began to read the chapter under discussion. He read it in a low
monotonous voice, and his wise-looking face assumed an expression of
extraordinary gravity at certain passages. The Emperor listened with
an air of deep attention. He seemed to particularly appreciate the
more touching portions, in which the author made his peasants speak
in a strain of childish stupidity. Meanwhile the ministers were quite
delighted. What an amusing affair! There now was Rougon abandoned by
Delestang, whom he had brought into the ministry solely that he might
have some one to rely upon amidst the unexpressed hostility of his
other colleagues. The latter were often indignant with him for his
constant arrogation of power, that craving for authority which impelled
him to treat them as though they were mere clerks, while he himself
assumed the position of his Majesty's private adviser and right-hand
man. And now he was on the point of finding himself completely
isolated! This fellow, Delestang, thought the others, was a man to be
well received.
'There are perhaps one or two words----' muttered the Emperor, when
Delestang had finished his perusal; 'but, really, taking it altogether,
I don't see anything--eh, gentlemen?'
'It is quite innocent,' chorused the ministers.
Rougon made no reply to his Majesty, but seemed to bend his shoulders.
When he returned to the charge, he singled out Delestang for his
attack. For several minutes a contest went on between them in short
sentences. Handsome Delestang grew warlike, and indulged in cutting
remarks, while Rougon's anger also gradually rose. He for the first
time felt his authority giving way beneath him. And springing all at
once to his feet, he addressed himself to the Emperor with vehement
gestures.
'Sire,' he said, 'it is a petty matter, and the book will be
authorised, since your Majesty in your wisdom declares there is no
danger in it. But I must warn you, sire, that it would be perilous
to confer on France one half of the liberties which are claimed
by this "Friend Jacques." You summoned me to power under terrible
circumstances. You told me that I was not to attempt, by any
untimely moderation, to reassure those who were quaking with alarm.
In accordance with your commands, sire, I have made myself feared.
I believe that I have obeyed your slightest instructions and have
rendered you the services you expected of me. If any one should accuse
me of excessive severity or of abusing the power with which your
Majesty has entrusted me, such an accusation could only come from an
adversary of your Majesty's policy. Believe me when I tell you that
society is as deeply disturbed as ever it was. In the few weeks that
I have been in office, it has unfortunately been impossible for me to
heal the diseases which are preying upon it. Anarchical passions are
still fermenting among the lower strata of the people.
'I do not wish to lay this festering wound bare to you, or to
exaggerate its horror, but it is my duty to remind you of its
existence, so that I may put your Majesty on your guard against the
generous impulses of your own heart. For a moment it was possible to
hope that the energy of the sovereign and the solemnly expressed will
of the nation had swept all abominable periods of public baseness away
without possibility of revival. Events, however, have shown what a
mournful error this was. In the name of the country, sire, I beseech
you not to draw back your powerful hand. The danger does not lie in the
possession of excessive authority, but in the absence of repressive
laws. If you should draw back your hand, sire, you would see the scum
of the people bubbling up, you would at once find yourself overwhelmed
by revolutionary demands, and your most energetic servants would soon
be at a loss how to defend you. I venture to press this upon you
strongly, for the dangers of the morrow would be terrible.
'Liberty without restraint is impossible in a country where there
exists a faction which is obstinately bent upon denying the fundamental
basis of the government. Many long years must elapse before your
Majesty's absolute power is accepted by all, before it effaces from
men's memories the recollection of old struggles, and passes so far
beyond the pale of discussion that it may be discussed without danger.
And outside the principle of despotic power, vigorously exercised,
there is no safety for France. On the day when your Majesty may
consider it your duty to restore to the nation the most harmless of its
liberties, on that day your Majesty will be committed to everything.
One liberty cannot be granted without a second; and then comes a third
one, and everything is swept away, both institutions and dynasties! It
is like an implacable, devouring piece of machinery. First, the tip
of the finger is caught, then the hand is drawn in, then the arm, and
finally the whole body is ground to pieces.
'And, sire, since I have ventured to express myself so freely on this
matter, I will make this further remark. Parliamentary rule once
destroyed a French monarchy; do not let us allow it to destroy an
empire. The Corps Législatif ventures to interfere too much as it is.
Do not allow it any share in directing the sovereign's policy. To do so
would only give rise to the most vehement and deplorable discussions.
The last general elections have once again testified to the country's
gratitude, but none the less, no fewer than five candidates were
elected whose disgraceful success ought to serve as a warning. To-day
the all-important question is to prevent the formation of an opposition
minority; and, what is still more important, is to take care not to
provide it--if by chance it should come into existence--with weapons
which might enable it to contend against the constituted authority with
yet greater impudence than now. A parliament which holds its tongue is
a parliament which does some work.
'As for the press, sire, it is turning liberty into license. Since
I entered the ministry I have read the reports carefully, and every
morning I am filled with fresh disgust. The press is the receptacle
of nauseous leaven of every kind. It foments revolutions, it is an
ever-burning fire which serves to kindle great conflagrations. It will
only become useful when we have brought it under our authority and can
use its influence as an instrument of government. At present I say
nothing of other forms of liberty, such as the liberty of combination,
of public meeting, or of doing anything a man likes. These, however,
are all respectfully asked for in "Friend Jacques's Evening Chats."
Later on they will be demanded. That is what I am afraid of. I hope
that your Majesty will fully understand me. It is necessary that
France should for a long time yet feel the weight of a hand of iron.'
He went on in this strain for a long time, defending, with increasing
energy, the way in which he had used his authority, sheltering himself
beneath the principle of plenary power, wrapping himself round with
it, covering himself with it, as it were, like a man who would avail
himself of his armour to the fullest extent possible. And in spite of
his apparent excitement, he retained sufficient coolness to keep a
watch on his colleagues and to note the effect of his words on their
pale, fixed faces. Then all at once he abruptly ceased speaking.
There was a rather long interval of silence. The Emperor had again
begun to play with his paper-knife.
'His Excellency the Minister of the Interior takes too black a view of
the situation,' at length said the Minister of State. 'In my opinion
nothing threatens our institutions. Order is perfectly maintained. We
can trust with confidence to his Majesty's great wisdom. Indeed, it is
a lack of such confidence to show fear----'
'Certainly, certainly,' murmured several voices.
'I will add,' said the Minister for Foreign Affairs, 'that France has
never been more respected by Europe than she is now. Everywhere abroad
his Majesty's firm and dignified policy is regarded with admiration.
The opinion of the chancelleries is that our country has entered for
good upon an era of peace and greatness.'
However, none of the ministers cared to attack the political programme
defended by Rougon. They all looked at Delestang, who understood what
was expected of him. He began to speak, and compared the empire to an
edifice.
'The principle of authority ought certainly not to be shaken,' said he,
'but there is no necessity for systematically shutting the door upon
every public liberty. The empire is like some great place of refuge,
some vast and magnificent edifice whose indestructible foundations
have been laid by his Majesty with his own hands. He is still engaged
in raising its walls; but the day will come when his task will be
finished, and he will have to think of how he can crown his edifice,
and it is then----'
'Never!' interrupted Rougon violently. 'The whole thing will topple
down!'
The Emperor stretched out his hand to stop the discussion. He was
smiling, and seemed to be awaking from a reverie. 'Well, well,' he
said; 'we are getting away from current affairs. We will see about all
this later on.' Then, having risen from his seat, he added: 'It is
late, gentlemen; you must have _déjeuner_ at the château.'
The council was now at an end. The ministers pushed back their chairs
and stood up and bowed to the Emperor, who was slowly retiring. All
at once, however, his Majesty turned and muttered: 'A word with you,
Monsieur Rougon, I beg.'
Then as the Emperor took Rougon into the embrasure of one of the
windows, the other ministers thronged round Delestang at the farther
end of the room. They congratulated him in subdued tones, with nods
and becks and wreathed smiles, quite a buzzing of murmured praise. The
Minister of State, a man of very shrewd mind and great experience, was
particularly flattering. He had an idea that it was lucky to have a
shallow-pated fellow for a friend. Meantime, Delestang bowed with grave
modesty to all the compliments lavished upon him.
'After all,' said the Emperor to Rougon, 'I won't speak to you here,
come along with me,' and he thereupon took him into his own study, a
rather small room, where the furniture was littered with books and
newspapers. Then, having lighted a cigarette, he showed Rougon a small
model of a new cannon lately invented by an officer. The little weapon
looked like a child's toy. His Majesty affected a very kindly tone,
and tried to convince the minister that he still possessed his favour.
Rougon, however, divined that an explanation of some sort was coming,
and he wanted to have the first word.
'Sire,' he began, 'I am well aware of the violence with which I am
attacked by those who surround your Majesty.'
The Emperor smiled without saying anything. It was true, however, that
the Court had again put itself in opposition to Rougon. He was now
accused of abusing his power, and of compromising the empire by his
harshness. The most extraordinary tales were circulated about him, and
the corridors of the palace were full of complaints and stories, which
echoed every morning in the Emperor's study.
'Be seated, Monsieur Rougon, be seated,' his Majesty at last said, in
a good-natured way. And then, taking a seat himself, he continued:
'People are always dinning things into my ears. So it is, perhaps, best
that I should quietly talk them over with you. What is this affair of a
notary at Niort, who died after being arrested? A Monsieur Martineau,
I think?'
Rougon quietly entered into particulars. This Martineau, he said, was
a man who had very gravely compromised himself; a Republican whose
influence in the department might have led to great danger. He had been
arrested, and he had since died.
'Yes, that's just it,' replied the Emperor; 'that's the tiresome part
of the matter. The opposition papers have got hold of the story, and
relate it in a very mysterious fashion, and with a reticence which is
calculated to have a most deplorable effect. I am much distressed about
it, Monsieur Rougon.'
However, he said no more on that subject, but sat for a few moments
puffing at his cigarette.
'You have been down to Deux-Sèvres lately, and you were present at some
ceremony there, were you not?' he presently continued. 'Are you quite
sure of Monsieur Kahn's financial stability?'
'Oh, quite so!' exclaimed Rougon. And he launched into a series of
explanatory details. M. Kahn, said he, was supported by a very rich
English company. The shares of the railway from Niort to Angers were at
a premium at the Bourse. The undertaking had very fine prospects before
it.
The Emperor, however, seemed incredulous. 'I have heard a certain
amount of fear expressed,' he said. 'You can understand that it would
be very unfortunate for your name to be mixed up with a catastrophe.
However, since you tell me that there is no reason for fear----'
Then he again broke off and passed to a third subject. 'Now, about
the prefect of Deux-Sèvres. He is very unpopular, people tell me. He
appears to have thrown everything into confusion down there. I hear,
too, that he is the son of a retired process-server, whose strange
vagaries are the talk of the whole department. This Monsieur du Poizat
is a friend of yours, I believe?'
'One of my best friends, sire.'
As the Emperor now rose from his seat, Rougon also got up. The former
went to a window, and then came back again, puffing out a little
cloudlet of smoke.
'You have a good many friends, Monsieur Rougon,' he said, with a
meaning look.
'Yes, sire; a great many,' the minister frankly replied.
Evidently enough, the Emperor had hitherto merely repeated the gossip
of the château, the accusations made by those who surrounded him. He
was doubtless acquainted, however, with other stories, matters which
were unknown to the Court, but of which he had learnt from his private
agents, and in which he took a yet livelier interest, for he revelled
in the spy system, in the secret manœuvring of the police. He looked at
Rougon for a moment, while a vague smile played about his face. Then,
in a confidential tone, and with a somewhat playful air, he said: 'Oh,
I know a good many things; more, perhaps, than I care to know. Here is
another little matter, now; you have taken in your offices a young man,
a colonel's son, who has not obtained a bachelor's diploma. It is not a
matter of any importance, I am aware of that; but if you only knew all
the fuss that is made about such things! Little things like these put
everybody's back up. It is really very bad policy on your part.'
Rougon made no reply. His Majesty had not finished. He opened his
lips as though he were going to say something, but it was apparently
something that he found rather difficult to express, for he hesitated
for a moment or two. At last he stammered: 'I won't say anything to you
about that usher, one of your protégés named Merle, I think. But he
gets drunk and behaves insolently; and both the public and the clerks
complain of him. All this is very annoying, very annoying indeed.' Then
he raised his voice, and concluded somewhat bluntly: 'You have too
many friends, Monsieur Rougon. All these people do you harm. It would
be rendering you a service to make you quarrel with them. Well, at any
rate let me have the resignation of Monsieur du Poizat, and promise me
that you will abandon all the others.'
Rougon had remained quite impassive. He now bowed, and replied in a
deep, meaning voice: 'On the contrary, sire, I ask your Majesty for
the ribbon of officer of the Legion of Honour for the prefect of
Deux-Sèvres. And I have several other favours to solicit.' Then he took
a memorandum-book from his pocket, and continued: 'Monsieur Béjuin begs
that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to visit his cut-glass
works at Saint-Florent, when you go to Bourges. Colonel Jobelin desires
an appointment in the Imperial Palaces. The usher Merle calls your
Majesty's attention to the fact that he has gained the military medal,
and desires a tobacco-agency for one of his sisters.'
'Is that all?' asked the Emperor, who had begun to smile again. 'You
are a magnificent patron. Your friends ought to worship you.'
'No, they do not worship me, sire, they support me,' Rougon replied
with his blunt frankness.
This retort seemed to make a deep impression upon the Emperor. Rougon
had just revealed to him the whole secret of his fidelity. On the day
when he might allow his credit to stagnate, on that day his credit
would be killed; and in spite of scandal, in spite of the discontent
and treason of his hand, it was his only possession and support, and
he was obliged to keep it sound and healthful, if he himself wished to
remain unshattered. The more he got for his friends--the greater and
the less deserved the favours that he lavished on them--the stronger he
became himself.
He added very respectfully, and in a very meaning tone: 'For the glory
of your Majesty's reign, I hope from the bottom of my heart that your
Majesty may long preserve about you the devoted servants who helped you
to restore the empire.'