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Updated: May 12, 2025
"Celestine, the more that man des Lupeaulx feels he is foolishly caught in a trap, the more bitter he will be against me." "What if I get him dismissed altogether?" Rabourdin looked at his wife in amazement. "I am thinking only of your advancement; it was high time, my poor husband," continued Celestine. "But you are mistaking the dog for the game," she added, after a pause.
"I will go and tell Rabourdin," added des Lupeaulx, "that you cannot transact business with him till Saturday." The minister replied with an assenting gesture. The secretary despatched his man with a message to Rabourdin that the minister could not work with him until Saturday, on which day the Chamber was occupied with private bills, and his Excellency had more time at his disposal.
"What would such future promotions avail me, if you dismiss me now?" "Before I listen to you," she replied, with naive Parisian liveliness, "we must be able to understand each other." And she left the old fop to go and speak with Madame de Chessel, a countess from the provinces, who seemed about to take leave. "That is a very extraordinary woman," said des Lupeaulx to himself.
"The newspapers and the opposition calumnies are so misleading about men in politics that we are all more or less influenced by them; but such prejudices turn to the advantage of statesmen when we come to know them personally." "He is very good-looking," said des Lupeaulx. "Yes, and I assure you he is quite lovable," she said, heartily.
You have not yet appointed Rabourdin, and I have news this morning which tends to show that most persons will be better satisfied if you appoint Baudoyer." "Appoint Baudoyer!" echoed the minister. "Do you know him?" "Yes," said des Lupeaulx; "but suppose he proves incapable, as he will, you can then get rid of him by asking those who protect him to employ him elsewhere.
He remembered Lucien, whom he had met at Mme. du Val-Noble's, and bowed with a semblance of friendliness which the poet could not doubt. Des Lupeaulx was in favor, he was a Master of Requests, and did the Ministry secret services; he was, moreover, cunning and ambitious, slipping himself in everywhere; he was everybody's friend, for he never knew whom he might need.
Knowing in the science of human nature, he assumed the character of a listener, and none was ever more attentive. Not to awaken suspicion he was flattering ad nauseum, insinuating as a perfume, and cajoling as a woman. Des Lupeaulx was just forty years old. His youth had long been a vexation to him, for he felt that the making of his career depended on his becoming a deputy.
Chatelet has received compensations for his troubles; for, as des Lupeaulx said, 'While the newspapers are making Chatelet ridiculous, they will leave the Ministry in peace." There was a pause; the Marquise left Lucien to his own reflections. "M. Blondet led me to hope that I should have the pleasure of seeing you in my house," said the Comtesse de Montcornet.
At this particular moment, while he talked confidentially with a supernumerary of his office who was destined, later, to play an unconscious part in a political intrigue resulting from the death of La Billardiere, he watched, though half-abstractedly, his wife and des Lupeaulx.
"And it won't cost you dear if there's white on its back; for the sub-prefect told me there wasn't one o' them museums that had the like; but he knows everything, our sub-prefect, no fool he! If I hunt the otter, he, M'sieur des Lupeaulx, hunts Mademoiselle Gaubertin, who has a fine white 'dot' on her back.
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