It won't inconvenience you if I finish my cigar ?" "Oh! not at all." The cab found its way out of the crush, crossed the Place de la Concorde and began to ascend the Champs Elysees.

And Pierre, reflecting that he had very few minutes before him, at once attacked Duthil, quite ready for any effort to convince him.

He remembered what a sortie the young deputy had made against Laveuve at the Baron's; and thus he was astonished to hear him interrupt and say quite pleasantly, enlivened as he seemed by the bright sun which was again beginning to shine: "Ah, yes! your old drunkard! So you didn't settle his business with Fonsegue?
And what is it you want?
To have him admitted to-day?
Well, you know I don't oppose it ?" "But there's your report." "My report, oh, my report! But questions change according to the way one looks at them.

And if you are so anxious about your Laveuve I won't refuse to help you." Pierre looked at him in astonishment, at bottom extremely well pleased.
And there was no further necessity even for him to speak.
"You didn't take the matter in hand properly," continued Duthil, leaning forward with a confidential air.

"It's the Baron who's the master at home, for reasons which you may divine, which you may very likely know.
The Baroness does all that he asks without even discussing the point; and this morning,--instead of starting on a lot of useless visits, you only had to gain his support, particularly as he seemed to be very well disposed.