And still the crowd yelled:
“Hurrah for Déroulède! Hurrah for the Army! Down with the Dreyfusards! Down with Raimondin! Death to the Jews!”
The coachman succeeded in making a way through the mass of electors.
Joseph Lacrisse found Madame de Bonmont at home, alone. She was excited and triumphant, having already heard the news.
“Elected!” she cried, her arms extended and her gaze directed heavenward.
And the word “elected” on the lips of so pious a lady seemed full of mystical meaning.
She put her beautiful arms around him and drew him to her.
“What makes me happiest is that you owe your election to me.”
She had contributed nothing to his expenses. It is true that money had not been wanting, and Joseph Lacrisse had drawn upon more than one banking account; but the gentle Elisabeth had given nothing, and Joseph Lacrisse could not understand what she meant. She explained herself:
“I had a candle burnt every day before St. Anthony; that is why you got in. St. Anthony grants all requests. Father Adéodat told me so, and I have proved it several times.”