"Besides, Monferrand is really an able man, whom one can support without fear." At this Fonsegue began to wonder whether his anguish of mind was visible.
He, who usually played the game of life so well, with his own hand under thorough control, had been terrified by the article in the "Voix du Peuple." For the first time in his career he had perpetrated a blunder, and felt that he was at the mercy of some denunciation, for with unpardonable imprudence he had written a very brief but compromising note.

He was not anxious concerning the 50,000 francs which Barroux had handed him out of the 200,000 destined for the Republican press.

But he trembled lest another affair should be discovered, that of a sum of money which he had received as a present.

It was only on feeling the Baron's keen glance upon him that he was able to recover some self-possession.
How silly it was to lose the knack of lying and to confess things simply by one's demeanour! But the usher drew near and repeated that the Minister was now waiting for the Baron; and Fonsegue went to sit down beside Abbe Froment, whom he also was astonished to find there.

Pierre repeated that he had received a letter, but had no notion what the Minister might wish to say to him.