In accordance with his desires, the yellow drawing-room was master of Plassans in November, 1851.

Roudier represented the rich citizens there, and his attitude would certainly decide that of the entire new town.

Granoux was still more valuable; he had the Municipal Council behind him: he was its most powerful member, a fact which will give some idea of its other members.

Finally, through Commander Sicardot, whom the marquis had succeeded in getting appointed as chief of the National Guard, the yellow drawing-room had the armed forces at their disposal.
The Rougons, those poor disreputable devils, had thus succeeded in rallying round themselves the instruments of their own fortune.
Everyone, from cowardice or stupidity, would have to obey them and work in the dark for their aggrandisement.

They simply had to fear those other influences which might be working with the same object as themselves, and might partially rob them of the merit of victory.