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Just as they had consigned him to the barracks for confinement, a post-office official arrived bringing a despatch from General Ambert. Learning that General Briche was a prisoner, the messenger carried his packet to the colonel of the 63rd Regiment, who was the next in seniority after the general. In opening it, it was found to contain the order of the day.
It made him laugh even to the wrinkles of his small eyes. He laughed in profile. Weary of a long life of dissimulation, he gave to himself suddenly the joy of expressing his thoughts. "You see, my good La Briche, they make fools of us with their civil army, which costs a great deal, and is worth nothing. Small armies are the only good ones. This was the opinion of Napoleon I, who knew."
The Comtesse d'Houdetot was the daughter of the late M. de Bellegarde, a farmer-general, sister to M. d'Epinay, and Messieurs de Lalive and De la Briche, both of whom have since been introductors to ambassadors. I have spoken of the acquaintance I made with her before she was married: since that event I had not seen her, except at the fetes at La Chevrette, with Madam d'Epinay, her sister-in-law.
"It is true, it is very true," sighed General de La Briche, with tears in his eyes. Montessuy passed before them; Lariviere extended his hand to him. "They say, Montessuy, that you are the one who checked Garain. Accept my compliments." Montessuy denied that he had exercised any political influence. He was not a senator nor a deputy, nor a councillor-general.
The officers repaired in a body to the headquarters of General Briche, commandant of the garrison, and asked for the official copy of the order of the day. He replied that he had received none, and when questioned as to which side he was on he refused to answer. The officers upon this took him prisoner.
After her fortune, which at one time was quite large, became diminished, partly through her own extravagance and partly through that of her son, who was the very counterpart of his father, she was forced to rent "La Chevrette" and, later on, "La Briche," where she had opened her second salon. The last years of her life she spent in Paris with Grimm.
I thought him odd. A charming fellow, frank and intelligent. But he ought to have some occupation, some aim in life." The bell which announced the end of an intermission between the acts had hushed. In the foyer the two old men were walking alone. "An aim in life," repeated La Briche, tall, thin, and bent, while his companion, lightened and rejuvenated, hastened within, fearing to miss a scene.
I know that wealth is needed for a successful career, and that the best and most honourable way to obtain it is a good marriage. And I am determined to make a career. I shall get married soon enough... and better, perhaps, than you think." At La Briche, meanwhile, M. Mauperin vainly tried to be stern with his pet. "I have done it purposely," she said. "And why?"
That night what crowds thronged from Paris to the top of the Montmartre heights, from the observatory on which the celebrated inventor Bazin had lighted up, with some magical electric machine, all the plain of Gennevilliers from Mont Valerien to the Fort de la Briche!
Lemercier, De Breze, and the elder Rameau who, despite his peaceful habits and grey hairs, insisted on joining in the aid of la patrie were among the National Guards attached to the Fort de la Briche and the neighbouring eminence, and they met in conversation. "What a victory we have had!" said the old Rameau. "Rather mortifying to your son, M. Rameau," said LeMercier.
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