'You are on your way to the place I have left,' said Necker, in a low voice to the other.
'I have been summoned. But whether to replace you or not I cannot tell yet. Bah! what strange meetings there are in the world!'
'I wish you success where I have failed,' said Necker, still in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
'We shall try different means,' replied the other; 'but——take a pinch!' he extended his box, it was of gold.
Necker declined. 'Well,' said the speaker, emptying some into his palm and applying it thus to his nose; 'we must do our best.'
At that moment another head appeared at the window of the little carriage.
'There's my son-in-law,' said Foulon, for it was he; 'just awake. He has been snoring all the way from Paris. Berthier, my boy, brisk up. Here is——'
'Hush, hush! for Heaven's sake,' exclaimed the ex-minister; 'it is most important that nothing should be known of my departure.'
'All right, sir!' said the coachman, approaching Foulon.