The only way to save Rabourdin is to bring his appointment before the Council, unless I submit to having my hand forced.

It is enough to disgust a man with the public service.

I must purchase the right to keep that excellent Rabourdin by promoting a certain Colleville!" "Why not make over the management of this pretty little comedy to me, and rid yourself of the worry of it?
I'll amuse you every morning with an account of the game of chess I should play with the Grand Almoner," said des Lupeaulx.
"Very good," said the minister, "settle it with the head examiner.

But you know perfectly well that nothing is more likely to strike the king's mind than just those reasons the opposition journal has chosen to put forth.

Good heavens! fancy managing a ministry with such men as Baudoyer under me!" "An imbecile bigot," said des Lupeaulx, "and as utterly incapable as--" "-- as La Billardiere," added the minister.
"But La Billardiere had the manners of a gentleman-in-ordinary," replied des Lupeaulx.