So it was the clergy who led the reaction of Plassans; the nobility only lent them their name, nothing more.

The priests hid themselves behind the nobles, restrained them, directed them, and even succeeded in endowing them with a semblance of life.

When they had induced them to overcome their repugnance so far as to make common cause with the middle classes, they believed themselves certain of victory.

The ground was marvellously well prepared.

This ancient royalist town, with its population of peaceful householders and timorous tradespeople, was destined to range itself, sooner or later, on the side of law and order.