“What is he after? After the manager’s position of course. Té! he is Dansaert’s shark—he expects him to be thrown overboard for him to devour.”
She approached him hastily:
“Is M. Dansaert to be dropped from the Cabinet?”
“Do you know him?”
“My father often spoke of him—he was a compatriot and old friend of his. He considers him an upright man and very clever.”
Roumestan stammered out his reasons: “Bad tendencies—free-thinker—it was necessary to make reforms, and then, he was a very old man.”
“And you will put Béchut in his place?”
“O, I know the poor man lacks the gift of pleasing the ladies.”
She smiled a fine scornful smile.
“His impertinences are as indifferent to me as his compliments would be. What I cannot forgive in him is his assumption of clerical learning and piety. I respect all forms of religion—but if there is one thing more detestable in this world than another, it is hypocrisy and deceit.”