He was, if
anything, more long-winded and prosy even than his habit; his
arguments assumed more and more the form of a sermon; the tribune
of the National Assembly became more and more like a pulpit; but
the members, conversely, less and less like a congregation. They
grew restive under that steady flow of pompous verbiage, and it
was in vain that the four ushers in black satin breeches and
carefully powdered heads, chain of office on their breasts, gilded
sword at their sides, circulated in the Piste, clapping their
hands, and hissing
"Silence! En place!"
Equally vain was the intermittent ringing of the bell by the
president at his green-covered table facing the tribune. The Abbe
Maury had talked too long, and for some time had failed to interest
the members. Realizing it at last, he ceased, whereupon the hum
of conversation became general. And then it fell abruptly.
There was a silence of expectancy, and a turning of heads, a
craning of necks. Even the group of secretaries at the round table
below the president's dais roused themselves from their usual
apathy to consider this young man who was mounting the tribune of
the Assembly for the first time.
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