This paper involved an annual loss of a thousand francs, but it made him the champion of the Church, and enabled him to dispose of his sacred unsaleable stock.

Though he was virtually illiterate and could not even spell correctly, he himself wrote the articles of the "Gazette" with a humility and rancour that compensated for his lack of talent.

The marquis, in entering on the campaign, had perceived immediately the advantage that might be derived from the co-operation of this insipid sacristan with the coarse, mercenary pen.
After the February Revolution the articles in the "Gazette" contained fewer mistakes; the marquis revised them.
One can now imagine what a singular spectacle the Rougons' yellow drawing-room presented every evening.

All opinions met there to bark at the Republic.

Their hatred of that institution made them agree together.
The marquis, who never missed a meeting, appeased by his presence the little squabbles which occasionally arose between the commander and the other adherents.