Of an evening, in the yellow drawing-room, when Granoux's growl was rendered indistinct by fright, he would draw near to Felicite and whisper in her ear: "Come, little one, the fruit is ripe--but you must make yourself useful." Felicite, who continued to read Eugene's letters, and knew that a decisive crisis might any day occur, had already often felt the necessity of making herself useful, and reflected as to the manner in which the Rougons should employ themselves.

At last she consulted the marquis.
"It all depends upon circumstances," the little old man replied.

"If the department remains quiet, if no insurrection occurs to terrify Plassans, it will be difficult for you to make yourselves conspicuous and render any services to the new government.

I advise you, in that case, to remain at home, and peacefully await the bounties of your son Eugene.
But if the people rise, and our brave bourgeois think themselves in danger, there will be a fine part to play.

Your husband is somewhat heavy--" "Oh!" said Felicite, "I'll undertake to make him supple.