That was their great fear, for they wanted to reserve to themselves the role of deliverers.

They knew beforehand that they would be aided rather than hindered by the clergy and the nobility.

But if the sub-prefect, the mayor, and the other functionaries were to take a step in advance and at once stifle the insurrection they would find themselves thrown into the shade, and even arrested in their exploits; they would have neither time nor means to make themselves useful.

What they longed for was complete abstention, general panic among the functionaries.

If only all regular administration should disappear, and they could dispose of the destinies of Plassans for a single day, their fortune would be firmly established.
Happily for them, there was not a man in the government service whose convictions were so firm or whose circumstances were so needy as to make him disposed to risk the game.