The senior deputy, acting as president (for the Chamber was not yet constituted), was a worn-out old man, very absent-minded, and wholly unaccustomed to the functions which his age devolved upon him.He had duly received Monsieur de Sallenauve's letter requesting leave of absence; and had he recollected to communicate it, as in duty bound, to the Chamber at the proper time, the discussion would probably have been nipped in the bud.But parliamentary matters are apt to go haphazard; when, reminded of the letter by the discussion, he produced it, and when the Chamber learned that the request for leave of absence was made for an indefinite period and for the vague purpose of "urgent affairs," the effect was lamentable.
"It is plain," said all the ministerial party, "that he has gone to England to escape an investigation; he feared the result; he feels himself unmasked."This view, setting aside political prejudices, was shared by the sterner minds of all parties, who refused to conceive of a man not hastening to defend himself from such a blasting accusation.In short, after a very keen and able argument from the attorney-general, Vinet, who had taken heart on finding that the accused was likely to be condemned by default, the question of adjournment was put to the vote and passed, but by a very small majority; eight days being granted to the said deputy to appear and defend himself.
The day after the vote was passed Maxime de Trailles wrote to Madame Beauvisage as follows:--Madame,--The enemy received a severe check yesterday.In the opinion of my friend Rastignac, a very intelligent and experienced judge in parliamentary matters, Dorlange can never recover from the blow, no matter what may happen later.If we cannot succeed in producing positive proof to support the statement of our good peasant-woman, it is possible that this rascal, supposing always that he ventures to return to France, may be admitted to the Chamber.But if he is, he can only drag on a despised and miserable existence; he will be driven to resign, and then the election of Monsieur Beauvisage is beyond all doubt; for the electors, ashamed to have forsaken him for such a rascal, will be only too glad to reinstate themselves in public opinion by the choice of an honorable man--who was, in fact, their first choice.
It is to your rare sagacity, madame, that this result is due; for without that species of second sight which showed you the chances hidden in the revelation of that woman, we should have missed our best weapon.I must tell you though you may think this vanity, that neither Rastignac nor the attorney-general, in spite of their great political acumen, perceived the true value of your discovery; and I myself, if I had not had the good fortune of your acquaintance, and thus been enabled to judge of the great value of all ideas emanating from you, even I might have shared the indifference of the two statesmen to the admirable weapon which you have placed in our hands.I have now succeeded in proving to Rastignac the shrewdness and perspicacity you have shown in this matter, and he sincerely admires you for them.Therefore, madame, when I have the happiness of belonging to you by the tie we proposed, I shall not have to initiate you into politics, for you have already found your way there.
Nothing further can take place for a week, which is the period of delay granted by the Chamber.If the defaulter does not then appear, I am confident his election will be annulled.You can easily believe that between now and then all my efforts will be given to increase the feeling in the Chamber against him, both by arguments in the press and by private conversations.Rastignac has also given orders among the ministerial adherents to that effect.
We may feel confident, therefore, that by the end of another week our enemy will find public opinion solidly against him.
Will you permit me, madame, to recall myself to the memory of Mademoiselle Cecile, and accept yourself, together with Monsieur Beauvisage, the assurance of my most respectful sentiments.
A hint from certain quarters given to the ministerial journals now began to surround Sallenauve's name with an atmosphere of disrespect and ridicule; insulting insinuations colored his absence with an appearance of escaping the charges.The effect of these attacks was all the greater because Sallenauve was very weakly defended by his political co-religionists, which was scarcely surprising.Not knowing how to explain his conduct, the Opposition papers were afraid to commit themselves in favor of a man whose future was daily becoming more nebulous.
On the evening before the day on which the time granted for an explanation would expire, Sallenauve being still absent, a ministerial paper published, under the heading of "A Lost Deputy," a very witty and insolent article, which was read by every one and created a great sensation.During that evening Madame de l'Estorade went to see Madame de Camps, whom she found alone with her husband.She was greatly agitated, and said, as soon as she entered the room,--"Have you read that infamous article?"
"No," replied Madame Octave, "but Monsieur de Camps was just telling me about it.It is really shameful that the ministry should not only countenance, but instigate such villanies.""I am half crazy," said Madame de l'Estorade; "the whole blame rests on us.""That is saying too much," said Madame Octave.
"No," said her husband, "I agree with madame; all the venom of this affair could have been destroyed by one action of de l'Estorade's, and in refusing to make it he is, if not the author, at least the accomplice of this slander.""Your wife has told you--" began Madame de l'Estorade in a reproachful tone.
"Yes," said Madame de Camps; "it was necessary to explain to my husband the sort of madness that seemed to have taken possession of M.