According to party they meted out praise or blame.
Some, unversed in the law, declared the election invalid.

The point was discussed in a hundred clubs.
There was consternation in the social world.

The Duchesses' boudoirs with which Paul had been taunted hummed with indignation.

They had entertained an adventurer unawares.

They had entrusted the sacred ark of their political hopes to a charlatan.