"A fine bass voice, and
sonorous, but more of an artist in words than an orator. In short,
he's a fine instrument but he isn't music, consequently he has not,
and he never will have, the ear of the Chamber; in no case will he
ever be master of the situation."
Canalis and Maxime were returning toward the little group as Giraud,
deputy of the Left Centre, pronounced this verdict. Maxime took Giraud
by the arm and led him off, probably to make the same confidence he
had just made Canalis.
"What an honest, upright fellow that is," said Leon to Canalis,
nodding towards Giraud.
"One of those upright fellows who kill administrators," replied
Canalis.
"Do you think him a good orator?"
"Yes and no," replied Canalis; "he is wordy; he's long-winded, a
plodder in argument, and a good logician; but he doesn't understand
the higher logic, that of events and circumstances; consequently he
has never had, and never will have, the ear of the Chamber."
At the moment when Canalis uttered this judgment on Giraud, the latter
was returning with Maxime to the group; and forgetting the presence of
a stranger whose discretion was not known to them like that of Leon
and Bixiou, he took Canalis by the hand in a very significant manner.
"Well," he said, "I consent to what Monsieur de Trailles proposes.
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