“Yes, indeed, you’re right, here’s a letter for you,” he cried at last, as he took a few papers from a portfolio.  “Ah! those confounded clerks, they take advantage of the situation to do nothing in the proper way.”

Felicite took the letter and examined the seal attentively, apparently quite regardless of the fact that such scrutiny might wound Vuillet’s susceptibilities.  She clearly perceived that the envelope must have been opened; the bookseller, in his unskilful way, had used some sealing wax of a darker colour to secure it again.  She took care to open the envelope in such a manner as to preserve the seal intact, so that it might serve as proof of this.  Then she read the note.  Eugene briefly announced the complete success of the Coup d’Etat.  Paris was subdued, the provinces generally speaking remained quiet, and he counselled his parents to maintain a very firm attitude in face of the partial insurrection which was disturbing the South.  In conclusion he told them that the foundation of their fortune was laid, if they did not weaken.

Madame Rougon put the letter in her pocket, and sat down slowly, looking into Vuillet’s face.  The latter had resumed his sorting in a feverish manner, as though he were very busy.

“Listen to me, Monsieur Vuillet,” she said to him.  And when he raised his head:  “let us play our cards openly; you do wrong to betray us; some misfortune may befall you.  If, instead of unsealing our letters—­”

At this he protested, and feigned great indignation.  But she calmly continued:  “I know, I know your school, you never confess.  Come, don’t let us waste any more words, what interest have you in favouring the Coup d’Etat?”

And, as he continued to assert his perfect honesty, she at last lost patience.  “You take me for a fool!” she cried.  “I’ve read your article.  You would do much better to act in concert with us.”

Thereupon, without avowing anything, he flatly submitted that he wished to have the custom of the college.  Formerly it was he who had supplied that establishment with school books.  But it had become known that he sold objectionable literature clandestinely to the pupils; for which reason, indeed, he had almost been prosecuted at the Correctional Police Court.  Since then he had jealously longed to be received back into the good graces of the directors.

Felicite was surprised at the modesty of his ambition, and told him so.  To open letters and risk the galleys just for the sake of selling a few dictionaries and grammars!

“Eh!” he exclaimed in a shrill voice, “it’s an assured sale of four or five thousand francs a year.  I don’t aspire to impossibilities like some people.”

She did not take any notice of his last taunting words.  No more was said about his opening the letters.  A treaty of alliance was concluded, by which Vuillet engaged that he would not circulate any news or take any step in advance, on condition that the Rougons should secure him the custom of the college.  As she was leaving, Felicite advised him not to compromise himself any further.  It would be sufficient for him to detain the letters and distribute them only on the second day.