Cornemuse advised that the monthly allowance of that lady should be diminished.
"She is very useful to us," objected the pious Agaric.
"Undoubtedly," answered Cornemuse, "but she does us an injury by ruining us." A schism divided the Dracophils.

Misunderstandings reigned in their councils.

Some wished that in accordance with the policy of M.Bigourd and the pious Agaric, they should carry on the design of reforming the Republic.

Others, wearied by their long constraint, had resolved to proclaim the Dragon's crest and swore to conquer beneath that sign.
The latter urged the advantage of a clear situation and the impossibility of making a pretence much longer, and in truth, the public began to see whither the agitation was tending and that the Emiral's partisans wanted to destroy the very foundations of the Republic.
A report was spread that the prince was to land at La Cirque and make his entry into Alca on a green horse.
These rumours excited the fanatical monks, delighted the poor nobles, satisfied the rich Jewish ladies, and put hope in the hearts of the small traders.

But very few of them were inclined to purchase these benefits at the price of a social catastrophe and the overthrow of the public credit; and there were fewer still who would have risked their money, their peace, their liberty, or a single hour from their pleasures in the business.