“The thing it represents is not to be despised, Madame,” said the Abbé.
“These are English notions,” said she, sneeringly.
“They will be Russian ones yet, depend upon it, Madame.”
“I 'd rather know what a few men of vast fortune, like Midchekoff, for instance, think, than have the suffrages of half the greasy mobs of Europe.”
“By the way,” said the Minister, “what is he doing? Is it true that he is coquetting with Liberals and Fourierists, and all that?”
“For the moment he is,” said Madame de Heidendorf; “and two or three of the popularity-seeking sovereigns have sent him their decorations, and if he does not behave better he will be ordered home.”
“He is of great use in Italy,” said the Minister.
“True; but he must not abuse his position.”
“He is just vain enough to lend himself to a movement,” said D'Esmonde; “but he shall be watched.”
These last words were very significantly uttered.