"Contradiction is the life of literature, in fact," said Claude
Vignon.
"In art as in nature, there are two principles everywhere at strife," exclaimed Fulgence; "and victory for either means death."
"So it is with politics," added Michel Chrestien.
"We have a case in point," said Lousteau. "Dauriat will sell a couple of thousand copies of Nathan's book in the coming week. And why? Because the book that was cleverly attacked will be ably defended."
Merlin took up the proof of to-morrow's paper. "How can such an article fail to sell an edition?" he asked.
"Read the article," said Dauriat. "I am a publisher wherever I am, even at supper."
Merlin read Lucien's triumphant refutation aloud, and the whole party applauded.
"How could that article have been written unless the attack had preceded it?" asked Lousteau.
Dauriat drew the proof of the third article from his pocket and read it over, Finot listening closely; for it was to appear in the second number of his own review, and as editor he exaggerated his enthusiasm.
"Gentlemen," said he, "so and not otherwise would Bossuet have written if he had lived in our day."