Whilst many deputies turned pale and trembled as beneath a blast of terror, others passed by purple with excitement, bursting with delight, laughing with exultation at the thought of coming victory.

For, in point of fact, beneath all the assumed indignation, all the calls for parliamentary cleanliness and morality, there simply lay a question of persons--the question of ascertaining whether the government would be overthrown, and in that event of whom the new administration would consist.

Barroux no doubt appeared to be in a bad way; but with things in such a muddle one was bound to allow a margin for the unexpected.

From what was generally said it seemed certain that Mege would be extremely violent.

Barroux would answer him, and the Minister's friends declared that he was determined to speak out in the most decisive manner.