第184章 CHAPTER XVI CHECKMATE TO THUILLIER(3)

Thuillier hurriedly unfolded the sheet Minard had given him, and devoured rather than read the following article:--Long enough has the proprietor of this regenerated journal submitted without complaint and without reply to the cowardly insinuations with which a venal press insults all citizens who, strong in their convictions, refuse to pass beneath the Caudine Forks of power. Long enough has a man, who has already given proofs of devotion and abnegation in the important functions of the aedility of Paris, allowed these sheets to call him ambitious and self-seeking. Monsieur Jerome Thuillier, strong in his dignity, has suffered such coarse attacks to pass him with contempt. Encouraged by this disdainful silence, the stipendiaries of the press have dared to write that this journal, a work of conviction and of the most disinterested patriotism, was but the stepping-stone of a man, the speculation of a seeker for election.

Monsieur Jerome Thuillier has held himself impassible before these shameful imputations because justice and truth are patient, and he bided his time to scotch the reptile. That time has come.

"That deuce of a Peyrade!" said Thuillier, stopping short; "how he does touch it off!""It is magnificent!" cried Minard.

Reading aloud, Thuillier continued:--Every one, friends and enemies alike, can bear witness that Monsieur Jerome Thuillier has done nothing to seek a candidacy which was offered to him spontaneously.

"That's evident," said Thuillier, interrupting himself. Then he resumed:--But, since his sentiments are so odiously misrepresented, and his intentions so falsely travestied, Monsieur Jerome Thuillier owes it to himself, and above all to the great national party of which he is the humblest soldier, to give an example which shall confound the vile sycophants of power.

"It is fine, the way la Peyrade poses me!" said Thuillier, pausing once more in his reading. "I see now why he didn't send me the paper;he wanted to enjoy my surprise--'confound the vile sycophants of power!' how fine that is!"After which reflection, he continued:--Monsieur Thuillier was so far from founding this journal of dynastic opposition to support and promote his election that, at the very moment when the prospects of that election seem most favorable to himself and most disastrous to his rivals, he here declares publicly, and in the most formal, absolute, and irrevocable manner that he RENOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY.

"What?" cried Thuillier, thinking he had read wrong, or had misunderstood what he read.

"Go on! go on!" said the mayor of the eleventh.

Then, as Thuillier, with a bewildered air, seemed not disposed to continue his reading, Minard took the paper from his hands and read the rest of the article himself, beginning where the other had left off:--Renounces his candidacy; and he strongly urges the electors to transfer to Monsieur Minard, mayor of the eleventh arrondissement and his friend and colleague in his municipal functions, all the votes with which they seemed about to honor him.

"But this is infamous!" cried Thuillier, recovering his speech; "you have bought that Jesuit la Peyrade.""So," said Minard, stupefied by Thuillier's attitude, "the article was not agreed upon between you?""The wretch has profited by my absence to slip it into the paper; Iunderstand now why he prevented a copy from reaching me to-day.""My dear friend," said Minard, "what you tell me will seem incredible to the public.""I tell you it is treachery; it is an abominable trap. Renounce my candidacy!--why should I?""You understand, my dear friend," said Minard, "that I am truly sorry if your confidence has been abused, but I have just issued my circular manifesto; the die is cast, and luck to the lucky now.""Leave me," said Thuillier; "it is a comedy for which you have paid.""Monsieur Thuillier," said Minard, in a threatening voice, "I advise you not to repeat those words, unless you are ready to give me satisfaction for them."Happily for Thuillier, who, we may remember, had made his profession of faith as to civic courage some time before, he was relieved from answering by Coffinet, who now opened the door of the editorial sanctum, and announced:--"Messieurs the electors of the twelfth arrondissement."The arrondissement was represented on this occasion by five persons.