The morning meal affords the only moment of privacy which public men can snatch from the current of overwhelming business.

Yet in spite of the precautions they take to keep this hour for private intimacies and affections, a good many great and little people manage to infringe upon it.

Business itself will, as at this moment, thrust itself in the way of their scanty comfort.
"I thought Rabourdin was a man above all ordinary petty manoeuvres," began the minister; "and yet here, not ten minutes after La Billardiere's death, he sends me this note by La Briere,--it is like a stage missive.

Look," said his Excellency, giving des Lupeaulx a paper which he was twirling in his fingers.
Too noble in mind to think for a moment of the shameful meaning La Billardiere's death might lend to his letter, Rabourdin had not withdrawn it from La Briere's hands after the news reached him.

Des Lupeaulx read as follows:-- "Monseigneur,--If twenty-three years of irreproachable services may claim a favor, I entreat your Excellency to grant me an audience this very day.