"Vuillet has issued his paper!" Thereupon he tore off the wrapper, read the leading article, and finished it looking as white as a sheet, and swaying on his chair.
"Here, read," he resumed, handing the paper to Felicite.
It was a magnificent article, attacking the insurgents with unheard of violence.

Never had so much stinging bitterness, so many falsehoods, such bigoted abuse flowed from pen before.

Vuillet commenced by narrating the entry of the insurgents into Plassans.

The description was a perfect masterpiece.

He spoke of "those bandits, those villainous-looking countenances, that scum of the galleys," invading the town, "intoxicated with brandy, lust, and pillage." Then he exhibited them "parading their cynicism in the streets, terrifying the inhabitants with their savage cries and seeking only violence and murder." Further on, the scene at the town-hall and the arrest of the authorities became a most horrible drama.