Thanks to these tactics, based on the vanity of the man in the lover stage of his existence, Valerie sat down to table with four men, all pleased and eager to please, all charmed, and each believing himself adored; called by Marneffe, who included himself, in speaking to Lisbeth, the five Fathers of the Church.

Baron Hulot alone at first showed an anxious countenance, and this was why.  Just as he was leaving the office, the head of the staff of clerks had come to his private room—­a General with whom he had served for thirty years—­and Hulot had spoken to him as to appointing Marneffe to Coquet’s place, Coquet having consented to retire.

“My dear fellow,” said he, “I would not ask this favor of the Prince without our having agreed on the matter, and knowing that you approved.”

“My good friend,” replied the other, “you must allow me to observe that, for your own sake, you should not insist on this nomination.  I have already told you my opinion.  There would be a scandal in the office, where there is a great deal too much talk already about you and Madame Marneffe.  This, of course, is between ourselves.  I have no wish to touch you on a sensitive spot, or disoblige you in any way, and I will prove it.  If you are determined to get Monsieur Coquet’s place, and he will really be a loss in the War Office, for he has been here since 1809, I will go into the country for a fortnight, so as to leave the field open between you and the Marshal, who loves you as a son.  Then I shall take neither part, and shall have nothing on my conscience as an administrator.”

“Thank you very much,” said Hulot.  “I will reflect on what you have said.”

“In allowing myself to say so much, my dear friend, it is because your personal interest is far more deeply implicated than any concern or vanity of mine.  In the first place, the matter lies entirely with the Marshal.  And then, my good fellow, we are blamed for so many things, that one more or less!  We are not at the maiden stage in our experience of fault-finding.  Under the Restoration, men were put in simply to give them places, without any regard for the office.—­We are old friends——­”

“Yes,” the Baron put in; “and it is in order not to impair our old and valued friendship that I—­”

“Well, well,” said the departmental manager, seeing Hulot’s face clouded with embarrassment, “I will take myself off, old fellow.—­But I warn you! you have enemies—­that is to say, men who covet your splendid appointment, and you have but one anchor out.  Now if, like me, you were a Deputy, you would have nothing to fear; so mind what you are about.”

This speech, in the most friendly spirit, made a deep impression on the Councillor of State.

“But, after all, Roger, what is it that is wrong?  Do not make any mysteries with me.”

The individual addressed as Roger looked at Hulot, took his hand, and pressed it.

“We are such old friends, that I am bound to give you warning.  If you want to keep your place, you must make a bed for yourself, and instead of asking the Marshal to give Coquet’s place to Marneffe, in your place I would beg him to use his influence to reserve a seat for me on the General Council of State; there you may die in peace, and, like the beaver, abandon all else to the pursuers.”