Decorative wall clock

Meaning

Lemma.

A cartel here is a wall clock, not a political or commercial alliance. Its place among ornamental objects in Renaudin’s inner salon establishes the furniture sense. The English groups the gilding with the clock and candlesticks. The word’s concrete referent helps the reader see the discrepancy between the judge’s exposed poverty of furnishing and the luxurious room into which he pushes the petitioner.