And again he became absorbed in the intricacies of the scandalous business which was about to stir all Paris and the legislature.

Kill himself! ah, no, that would be foolish and cowardly.

A gust of terror might be sweeping past; nevertheless, for his part he felt quite firm, superior to events, and resolved to defend himself without relinquishing aught of his power.
As soon as he entered the ante-rooms of the ministry he realised that the gust of terror was becoming a tempest.

The publication of the terrible list in the "Voix du Peuple" had chilled the guilty ones to the heart; and, pale and distracted, feeling the ground give way beneath them, they had come to take counsel of Monferrand, who, they hoped, might save them.
The first whom Duvillard perceived was Duthil, looking extremely feverish, biting his moustaches, and constantly making grimaces in his efforts to force a smile.

The banker scolded him for coming, saying that it was a great mistake to have done so, particularly with such a scared face.