before them, expressing your own opinion that it suffices; in a word, you
will give me the sanction of your countenance. For the rest, I trust to
myself to propitiate the kindly and to silence the calumnious. I have
spoken; what say you?"

"You overrate my power in society. Why not appeal yourself to your high-
born relations?"

"No, Louvier; I have too well considered the case to alter my decision.
It is through you, and you alone, that I shall approach my relations.
My vindicator must be a man of whom the vulgar cannot say, 'Oh, he is a
relation,--a fellow-noble; those aristocrats whitewash each other.' It
must be an authority with the public at large,--a bourgeois, a
millionaire, a _roi de la Bourse_. I choose you, and that ends the
discussion."

Louvier could not help laughing good-humouredly at the _sang froid_ of
the Vicomte. He was once more under the domination of a man who had for
a time dominated all with whom he lived.

De Mauleon continued: "Your task will be easy enough. Society changes
rapidly at Paris. Few persons now exist who have more than a vague
recollection of the circumstances which can be so easily explained to my
complete vindication when the vindication comes from a man of your solid
respectability and social influence. Besides, I have political objects
in view. You are a Liberal; the Vandemars and Rochebriants are
Legitimists. I prefer a godfather on the Liberal side. _Pardieu, mon
ami_, why such coquettish hesitation? Said and done. Your hand on it."

"There is my hand then. I will do all I can to help you."