Poor Annora gave one of her grim looks, but was obliged to obey; I
did not feel bound to do the same, as indeed I stood in the position
of hostess: so I remained, with Gaspard leaning on my lap, while my
brother and M. Darpent continued their conversation, and the latter
began to describe the actual matter in debate, the Paulette, namely,
the right of magistrates to purchase the succession to their offices
for their sons, provided a certain annual amount was paid to the
Crown. The right had to be continually renewed by fresh edicts for a
certain term. This term was now over, and the Crown refused to renew
it except on condition that all that salaries should be forfeited for
four years. To our English notions the whole system was a
corruption, but the horrible ill faith of the Court, which ruined and
cheated so many families, was nevertheless shocking to us. Clement
Darpent, who had always looked on the Paulette as a useful guarantee,
and expected to succeed to his father's office as naturally as
Eustace had done to the baronies of Walwyn and Ribaumont, could not
then see it in the same light, and expatiated on the speeches made by
the Councillors Broussel, Blancmesnil, and others, on the injustice
of such a measure.
Gaspard caught the name of Blancmesnil, and looking up, he said
'Blancmesnil! It is he that the King says is a scoundrel to resist
his will; but he will soon be shut up. They are going to arrest
him.
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