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Updated: May 21, 2025
"But he was an idiot!" returned Bouvard. "What matter? Personages of an inferior mould have sometimes an enormous influence, and he may have controlled the machinery of public affairs." The books would furnish them with information; and M. de Faverges, no doubt, would have them himself, or could procure them from some elderly gentleman of his acquaintance.
M. de Faverges also was thinking of it, while seeking not to compromise himself. The Conservatives oscillated between Foureau and Marescot, but, as the notary stuck to his office, Foureau was chosen a boor, an idiot. The doctor waxed indignant. Rejected in the competition, he regretted Paris, and the consciousness of his wasted life gave him a morose air.
The Count de Faverges appeared on the scene. They were all silent at his approach. "Go on, pray. What were you talking about?" "These gentlemen are wrangling with me," replied the abbé. "About what?" "About Holy Writ, M. le Comte." Bouvard immediately pleaded that they had a right, as geologists, to discuss religion.
On the opposite side could be seen the mayor and his two deputies, Beljambe and Marescot; then the principal personages of the district, M. de Faverges, Vaucorbeil, Coulon, the justice of the peace, an old fogy with a sleepy face. Heurtaux wore a foraging-cap, and Alexandre Petit, the new schoolmaster, had put on his frock-coat, a threadbare green garment his Sunday coat.
Every morning people crowded to the post-office, and the postmistress would not have been able to get herself free from them had it not been for the captain, who sometimes assisted her. Then would follow a chat on the green. The first violent discussion was on the subject of Poland. Heurtaux and Bouvard called for its liberation. M. de Faverges took a different view.
Bouvard considered that we know nothing of a man as long as we are ignorant of his passions; and in order to clear up these two points, they presented themselves at the château of Faverges. The count was not there; this retarded their work. They returned home annoyed. The door of the house was wide open; there was nobody in the kitchen.
M. de Faverges, who had estates in Eure, was declared a member of the Legislative Assembly, and his re-election for the general council of Calvados was certain beforehand. He thought proper to invite the leading personages in the district to a luncheon.
"An honest man has no need of it," replied Foureau. "I make no speeches, for my part. I am not a journalist. And I tell you that France requires to be governed with a rod of iron." All called for a deliverer. As they were going out, Bouvard and Pécuchet heard M. de Faverges saying to the Abbé Jeufroy: "We must re-establish obedience. Authority perishes if it be made the subject of discussion.
But the peasants were more numerous, and on market days M. de Faverges would walk about the green, make inquiries as to their wants, and try to convert them to his own ideas. They listened without answering, like Père Gouy, ready to accept any government so long as it reduced the taxes. By dint of babbling, Gorju was making a name for himself. Perhaps they might send him into the Assembly!
Bouvard did not forget the movement with the halberd; finally, with one glance, they would ask each other whether the visitor was worthy of having "the monk of the Middle Ages" represented. What a thrill they felt when M. de Faverges' carriage drew up before the garden gate! He had only a word to say to them.
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