[Bureaucracy by Honore de Balzac]@TWC D-Link book
Bureaucracy

CHAPTER VII
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"Only this week one of the stiffest of diplomatists, a man who has been in the service ever since he came to manhood, has married the daughter of an actress, and has introduced her at the most iron-bound court in Europe as to quarterings of nobility." "You will continue to support us ?" "I am to draw up your husband's appointment--But no cheating, remember." She gave him her hand to kiss, and tapped him on the cheek as she did so.

"You are mine!" she said.
Des Lupeaulx admired the expression.
[That night, at the Opera, the old coxcomb related the incident as follows: "A woman who did not want to tell a man she would be his,--an acknowledgment a well-bred woman never allows herself to make,--changed the words into 'You are mine.' Don't you think the evasion charming ?"] "But you must be my ally," he answered.

"Now listen, your husband has spoken to the minister of a plan for the reform of the administration; the paper I have shown you is a part of that plan.

I want to know what it is.

Find out, and tell me to-night." "I will," she answered, wholly unaware of the important nature of the errand which brought des Lupeaulx to the house that morning.
"Madame, the hair-dresser." "At last!" thought Celestine.


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