His younger sisters are arrived; he will take them this morning to St.Cloud, and in the evening he has invited his friends to a private ball.

I shall be dismissed directly for the rest of the day.

We can dine together; read the news while you are waiting for me." I sat down at a table covered with newspapers, all of which I looked over by turns.

Most of them contained severe criticisms on the last political acts of the minister; some of them added suspicions as to the honor of the minister himself.
Just as I had finished reading, a secretary came for them to take them to his master.
He was then about to read these accusations, to suffer silently the abuse of all those tongues which were holding him up to indignation or to scorn! Like the Roman victor in his triumph, he had to endure the insults of him who followed his car, relating to the crowd his follies, his ignorance, or his vices.
But, among the arrows shot at him from every side, would no one be found poisoned?
Would not one reach some spot in his heart where the wound would be incurable?
What is the worth of a life exposed to the attacks of envious hatred or furious conviction?
The Christians yielded only the fragments of their flesh to the beasts of the amphitheatres; the man in power gives up his peace, his affections, his honor, to the cruel bites of the pen.
While I was musing upon these dangers of greatness, the usher entered hastily.

Important news had been received: the minister is just summoned to the council; he will not be able to take his sisters to St.Cloud.
I saw, through the windows, the young ladies, who were waiting at the door, sorrowfully go upstairs again, while their brother went off to the council.