He ran to the door of the minister, and wished to have it opened.
"The minister has gone out," answered one of the ushers, laughing in his face.
"I shall wait for him; I shall wait the whole day if it be necessary."
"Wait for him, then, in the street," said the usher, "for you cannot remain here."
"Be it so," replied the poor pastor, resolved to place himself before the gate of the hotel, but he had barely crossed the courtyard, when Fouché, on his return, alighted from his carriage.
Michel Perrin did not hesitate to rush towards the door.
"I beg of you to hear me for a minute, citizen minister," said he, in an altered tone.
Fouché, although somewhat surprised at the sight of this excited applicant, recognised Michel Perrin, and permitted him to follow him.
"Well! what now?" asked he, when they were alone. "Have you discovered some conspiracy, to be thus almost beside yourself?"
"I have discovered that you have made a jest of the friend of your youth," replied the good pastor, with a courage derived from resentment. "Poor as I am, and powerful as you are, I would never wish to have been subjected to such treatment."