Why should he prevent the fall of that big ninny Barroux?
The only thing of importance was that he, Monferrand, should not fall with him, or at any rate that he should rise again.

So he protested no further, but merely mumbled a few words, in which his rebellious feeling seemingly died out.

And at last, putting on his good-natured air once more, he said: "Well, after all you are perhaps right.

One must be brave.
Besides, you are our head, my dear President, and we will follow you." They had now again sat down face to face, and their conversation continued till they came to a cordial agreement respecting the course which the Government should adopt in view of the inevitable interpellation on the morrow.
Meantime, Baron Duvillard was on his way to the ministry.

He had scarcely slept that night.