"Why should people devour one another when it would be to their interest to come to an understanding ?" Then, without further explanations, they passed to the great affair, and the conference began.

And when Monferrand had announced Barroux' determination to confess and explain his conduct, the others loudly protested.

That meant certain downfall, they would prevent him, he surely would not be guilty of such folly.

Forthwith they discussed every imaginable plan by which the Ministry might be saved, for that must certainly be Monferrand's sole desire.

He himself with all eagerness pretended to seek some means of extricating his colleagues and himself from the mess in which they were.