Nevertheless, both Bache and Morin were so discontented with the slow-paced _bourgeoise_ Republic of the present day, and so hurt by the thought that everything was going from bad to worse through the flouting of their own particular ideas, that they were quite willing to wax indignant at the manner in which the conflicting parties of the time were striving to make use of Salvat in order to retain or acquire power.
"When one thinks," said Bache, "that this ministerial crisis of theirs has now been lasting for nearly three weeks! Every appetite is openly displayed, it's a most disgusting sight! Did you see in the papers this morning that the President has again been obliged to summon Vignon to the Elysee ?" "Oh! the papers," muttered Morin in his weary way, "I no longer read them! What's the use of doing so?
They are so badly written, and they all lie!" As Bache had said, the ministerial crisis was still dragging on.

The President of the Republic, taking as his guide the debate in the Chamber of Deputies, by which the Barroux administration had been overthrown, had very properly sent for Vignon, the victor on that occasion, and entrusted him with the formation of a new ministry.

It had seemed that this would be an easy task, susceptible of accomplishment in two or three days at the utmost, for the names of the friends whom the young leader of the Radical party would bring to power with him had been freely mentioned for months past.

But all sorts of difficulties had suddenly arisen.

For ten days or so Vignon had struggled on amidst inextricable obstacles.