The choice was disastrous.

Not only were the interests of mayor and miller diametrically opposed, but Langlume had long hatched swindling projects with Rigou, who lent him money to carry on his business, or to acquire property.

The miller had bought the right to the hay of certain fields for his horses, and Sibilet could not sell it except to him.

The hay of all the fields in the district was sold at better prices than that of Les Aigues, though the yield of the latter was the best.
Langlume, then, became the provisional mayor; but in France the provisional is eternal,--though Frenchmen are suspected of loving change.

Acting by Rigou's advice, he played a part of great devotion to the general; and he was still assistant-mayor at the moment when, by the omnipotence of the historian, this drama begins.
In the absence of the mayor, Rigou, necessarily a member of the district council, reigned supreme, and brought forward resolutions all injuriously affecting the general.