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Beaucha remained but to submit, and left the office to despatch a courier to Morcerf But he had been unable to send to Albert the following particulars, as the events had transpired after the itation wasthe usually calnified assembly Every one had arrived al on the melancholy event which was to attract the attention of the public towards one of theirthe article, otherscircues still ues Like all upstarts, he had had recourse to a great deal of haughtiness to hed at him, the talented repelled him, and the honorable instinctively despised him He was, in fact, in the unhappy position of the victier of God once pointed at him, every one was prepared to raise the hue and cry
The Count of Morcerf alone was ignorant of the news He did not take in the paper containing the defa letters and in trying a horse He arrived at his usual hour, with a proud look and insolent deh the corridors, and entered the house without observing the hesitation of the door-keepers or the coolness of his colleagues Business had already been going on for half an hour when he entered Every one held the accusing paper, but, as usual, no one liked to take upon hith an honorable peer, Morcerf's acknowledged enemy, ascended the tribune with that solemnity which announced that the expected moment had arrived There was an impressive silence; Morcerf alone knew not why such profound attention was given to an orator as not always listened to with so much complacency The count did not notice the introduction, in which the speaker announced that his communication would be of that vital importance that it demanded the undivided attention of the House; but at the htfully pale that every member shuddered and fixed his eyes upon him Moral wounds have this peculiarity,--they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they re been read during the painful hush that followed, a universal shudder pervaded the asseiven to the orator as he resumed his remarks He stated his scruples and the difficulties of the case; it was the honor of M de Morcerf, and that of the whole House, he proposed to defend, by provoking a debate on personal questions, which are always such painful theation, which ht dispose of the calumnious report before it had time to spread, and restore M de Morcerf to the position he had long held in public opinion Morcerf was so coreat and unexpected calamity that he could scarcely stammer a feords as he looked around on the asseht proceed frouilt, conciliated soenerous are always ready to compassionate when the misfortune of their enemy surpasses the limits of their hatred