"Yes, what do you think of them?" asked one of the two whom Lucien did not know.
"They are all right, gentlemen; I give you my word," said Lousteau.
"Very well, that will do for me," said Vernou; "I will heave your book at the poets of the sacristy; I am tired of them."
"If Dauriat declines to take the Marguerites this evening, we will attack him by pitching into Nathan."
"But what will Nathan say?" cried Lucien.
His five colleagues burst out laughing.
"Oh! he will be delighted," said Vernou. "You will see how we manage these things."
"So he is one of us?" said one of the two journalists.
"Yes, yes, Frederic; no tricks.—We are all working for you, Lucien, you see; you must stand by us when your turn comes. We are all friends of Nathan's, and we are attacking him. Now, let us divide Alexander's empire.—Frederic, will you take the Francais and the Odeon?"
"If these gentlemen are willing," returned the person addressed as Frederic. The others nodded assent, but Lucien saw a gleam of jealousy here and there.