This good young man, rather heavy but full of capacity, the son of a
physician in Provins, owed his place to Vinet's father, who was long a
lawyer in Provins and still continued to be the patron of his people
as the Comte de Gondreville was the patron of the people of Arcis.

"What is that?" asked the sub-prefect.

"Local patriotism is always bitterly against a man who is imposed upon
the electors," replied the examining-judge, "but when it happens that
the good people of Arcis have to elevate one of their own equals to
the Chamber, envy and jealousy are stronger than patriotism."

"That is very simple," said the _procureur-du-roi_, "and very true. If
you can manage to collect fifty ministerial votes you will find
yourself master of the coming election," he added, addressing the
sub-prefect.

"It will do if you produce a candidate of the same calibre as Simon
Giguet," said Olivier Vinet.

The sub-prefect allowed an expression of satisfaction to appear upon
his features, which did not escape the notice of his three companions,
with whom, moreover, he had a full understanding. All four being
bachelors, and tolerably rich, they had formed, without premeditation,
an alliance against the dulness of the provinces. The three
functionaries had already remarked the sort of jealousy that Goulard
felt for Giguet, which a few words on their antecedents will explain.

Antonin Goulard, the son of a former huntsman to the house of Simeuse,