Their talk is full of "buts," "notwithstandings," "for myself I should," "were I in your place" (they often say "in your place"),--phrases, however, which pave the way to opposition.
In person, Clement des Lupeaulx had the remains of a handsome man; five feet six inches tall, tolerably stout, complexion flushed with good living, powdered head, delicate spectacles, and a worn-out air; the natural skin blond, as shown by the hand, puffy like that of an old woman, rather too square, and with short nails--the hand of a satrap.
His foot was elegant.

After five o'clock in the afternoon des Lupeaulx was always to be seen in open-worked silk stockings, low shoes, black trousers, cashmere waistcoat, cambric handkerchief (without perfume), gold chain, blue coat of the shade called "king's blue," with brass buttons and a string of orders.

In the morning he wore creaking boots and gray trousers, and the short close surtout coat of the politician.
His general appearance early in the day was that of a sharp lawyer rather than that of a ministerial officer.

Eyes glazed by the constant use of spectacles made him plainer than he really was, if by chance he took those appendages off.

To real judges of character, as well as to upright men who are at ease only with honest natures, des Lupeaulx was intolerable.