In that there's no need of proof; one can kill one's man with probabilities and assertions, if hotly maintained.""But, to come to the point," said Rastignac, "how do you think the affair ought to be managed?""In the first place," replied Vinet, "I should leave the Beauvisage people to pay all costs of whatever kind, inasmuch as they propose to do so.""Do I oppose that?" said the minister."Have I the right or the means to do so?""The affair," continued Vinet, "should be placed in the hands of some capable and wily solicitor, like Desroches, for example, Monsieur de Trailles' lawyer.He'll know how to put flesh on the bones of a case you justly consider rather thin.""Well, it is certainly not my place to say to Monsieur de Trailles or any other man, 'I forbid you to employ whom you will as your solicitor.'""Then we need some pleader who can talk in a moving way about that sacred thing the Family, and put himself into a state of indignation about these surreptitious and furtive ways of entering its honored enclosure.""Desroches can point out some such person to you.The government cannot prevent a man from saying what he pleases.""But," interposed Maxime, who was forced out of his passive role by the minister's coldness, "is not preventing all the help we are to expect in this affair from the government?""You don't expect us, I hope, to take this matter upon ourselves?""No, of course not; but we have certainly supposed that you would take some interest in the matter.""But how?--in what way?"
"Well, as Monsieur le procureur said just now, by giving a hint to the subsidized newspapers, by stirring up your friends to spread the news, by using a certain influence which power always exerts on the minds of magistrates.""Thank you, no!" replied Rastignac."When you want the government for an accomplice, my dear Maxime, you must provide a better-laid plot than that.From your manner this morning I supposed there was really something in all this, and so I ventured to disturb our excellent attorney-general, who knows how I value his advice.But really, your scheme seems to me too transparent and also too narrow not to be doomed to inevitable defeat.If I were not married, and could pretend to the hand of Mademoiselle Beauvisage, perhaps I should feel differently; of course you will do as you think best.I do not say that the government will not wish you well in your attempt, but it certainly cannot descend to make it with you.""But see," said Vinet, interposing to cut off Maxime's reply, which would doubtless have been bitter; "suppose we send the affair to the criminal courts, and the peasant-woman, instigated by the Beauvisage couple, should denounce the man who had sworn before a notary, and offered himself for election falsely, as a Sallenauve: the question is one for the court of assizes.""But proofs? I return to that, you must have proof," said Rastignac.
"Have you even a shadow of it?"
"You said yourself, just now," remarked Maxime, "that it was always possible to bring a bad case.""A civil case, yes; but to fail in a criminal case is a far more serious matter.It would be a pretty thing if you were shown not to have a leg to stand on, and the case ended in a decision of non-lieu.You couldn't find a better way to put our enemy on a pedestal as high as the column of July.""So," said Maxime, "you see absolutely nothing that can be done?""For us, no.For you, my dear Maxime, who have no official character, and who, if need be, can support the attack on Monsieur de Sallenauve pistol in hand, as it were, nothing hinders you from proceeding in the matter.""Oh, yes!" said Maxime, bitterly, "I'm a sort of free lance.""Not at all; you are a man intuitively convinced of facts impossible to prove legally, and you do not give way before the judgment of God or man."Monsieur de Trailles rose angrily.Vinet rose also, and, shaking hands with Rastignac as he took leave of him, he said,--"I don't deny that your course is a prudent one, and I don't say that in your place I should not do the same thing.""Adieu, Maxime; without bitterness, I hope," said Rastignac to Monsieur de Trailles, who bowed coldly and with dignity.
When the two conspirators were alone in the antechamber, Maxime turned to his companion.
"Do you understand such squeamishness?" he asked.
"Perfectly," replied Vinet, "and I wonder to see a clever man like you so duped.""Yes, duped to make you lose your time and I mine by coming here to listen to a lecture on virtue!""That's not it; but I do think you guileless to be taken in by that refusal to co-operate.""What! do you think--"
"I think that this affair is risky; if it succeeds, the government, arms folded, will reap the benefit.But if on the contrary we fail, it will not take a share in the defeat.But you may be sure of this, for I know Rastignac well: without seeming to know anything, and without compromising himself in any way, he will help us, and perhaps more usefully than by open connivance.Think! did he say a single word on the morality of the affair? Didn't he say, again and again, 'I don't oppose--I have no right to prevent'? And as to the venom of the case, the only fault he found was that it wasn't sure to kill.But in truth, my dear monsieur, this is going to be a hard pull, and we shall want all the cleverness of that fellow Desroches to get us through.""Then you think I had better see him?"
"Better see him! why, my good friend, you ought to go to him at once.""Wouldn't it be better if he talked with you?""Oh! no, no!" exclaimed Vinet."I may be the man to put the question in the Chamber; and if Desroches were seen with me, I should lose my virginity."So saying, he took leave of Maxime with some haste, on the ground that he ought then to be at the Chamber.
