And behind Laveuve there appeared the whole army of misery, the whole multitude of the disinherited and the poor, who agonised and asked for justice whilst the Chamber, sitting in all pomp, grew furiously impassioned over the question as to whom the nation should belong to, as to who should devour it.

Mire was flowing on in a broad stream, the hideous, bleeding, devouring sore displayed itself in all impudence, like some cancer which preys upon an organ and spreads to the heart.

And what disgust, what nausea must such a spectacle inspire; and what a longing for the vengeful knife that would bring health and joy! Pierre could not have told for how long he had been plunged in this reverie, when uproar again filled the hall.

People were coming back, gesticulating and gathering in groups.

And suddenly he heard little Massot exclaim near him: "Well, if it isn't down it's not much better off.