To carry out the plan that pious young man, Theodose, suggested, I want your help; hold yourself ready to give it, my daughter." At this moment, Genevieve came in and gave a letter to Monsieur Phellion.
"An invitation for dinner to-day, for Madame Phellion and Felix and myself, at the Thuilliers'," he said.
The magnificent and surprising idea of Thuillier's municipal advancement, put forth by the "advocate of the poor" was not less upsetting in the Thuillier household than it was in the Phellion salon.
Jerome Thuillier, without actually confiding anything to his sister, for he made it a point of honor to obey his Mephistopheles, had rushed to her in great excitement to say:-- "My dearest girl" (he always touched her heart with those caressing words), "we shall have some big-wigs at dinner to-day.

I'm going to ask the Minards; therefore take pains about your dinner.

I have written to Monsieur and Madame Phellion; it is rather late; but there's no need of ceremony with them.

As for the Minards, I must throw a little dust in their eyes; I have a particular need of them." "Four Minards, three Phellions, four Collevilles, and ourselves; that makes thirteen--" "La Peyrade, fourteen; and it is worth while to invite Dutocq; he may be useful to us.

I'll go up and see him." "What are you scheming ?" cried his sister.