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Vaudrey, therefore, needed a moment's reflection, a hasty self-examination to recognize his own personality: Monsieur le Ministre de l'Intérieur! This title only called up his ego after a momentary reflection, a sort of simulated astonishment under the cloak of a pensive attitude. Vaudrey's colleagues did not perceive that this man seated beside them was, as it were, lost in meditation.
Except for that, Marianne would have gone direct to him in obedience to her desires. Vaudrey's arm, however, was not to be despised. The new minister was the leading figure in the assembly.
For Adrienne, it was not merely a question of personal vanity or honor that was at stake, but also Vaudrey's reputation.
Vaudrey was not ignorant of the fact that for some time past, Lucien Granet had been manoeuvring for his appointment to any office whatever, the most important obtainable. He was within an ace of becoming a member of the last Ministerial Coalition. He might have been Vaudrey's colleague instead of his rival.
Unconsciously the young people standing there, drew closer to one another until their lips met. Each was almost too astonished for words. Fine breeding came to de Vaudrey's aid. He apologized and promised not to let it happen again! Sincerity spoke in the young man's earnest eyes and his respectful kiss of her small hand at parting.
A love-message from him through Picard to Henriette an unsuccessful attempt to escape; a glimpse of the still handsomely frizzed and powdered head gazing through trefoil Gothic window on the outer sunshine and liberty: such is all that we may see of de Vaudrey's strangely trussed up life during this time.
His first word as he entered Vaudrey's cabinet, asserting the virginity of his efforts at solicitation, betrayed his bitterness. Now, triumphant, powerful, delighted, feasted and fat, his massive form, his gross flesh and his money were in evidence all over Paris. His huge paunch, shaking with laughter, filled the stage-boxes at the theatres.
This does not seem to please you? Are you selfish, then?" Stretched on her divan, her neck and arms sparkling under the light of the sconces, she appeared to make sport of Vaudrey's stupefaction as he looked at her almost with fright. "Now, my dear," she said curtly, but politely, as she toyed with a ring on her finger, "this is why I desired to see you to-day.
"Am I imprudent?" further asked Guy. "No, but who has told you ?" "Nothing, your Prefect of Police only spoke a little too loud. He seemed to me to understand." Vaudrey's hand rapidly seized Lissac's wrist. "Hush! be silent!" "Very well! Good!" said Lissac to himself. "Poor little Adrienne." "I will tell you all about that later. Oh! nothing is more simple! It isn't what you think!"
"It takes a shrewd person indeed to know why April moons rise at all!" said Guy. Vaudrey's thoughts turned involuntarily toward Adrienne, his own pretty wife, who was waiting for him in the great lonely apartments at the Ministry which they had just taken possession of as they might occupy rooms at a hotel. He felt a sudden desire to return to her, to tell her of the incidents of this evening.
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