The whisper was so earnest that Alain looked at him in surprise; Osric only answered by something like a sigh. The Baron heard him not.
"Thou hast done well for a beginner," said Brian; "how dost thou like the torture chamber?"
"I was there in another capacity once."
"And thou hast not forgot it. But we must remember these canaille are only made for such uses—only to disgorge their wealth for their betters, or to furnish sport."
"How should we like it ourselves?"
"You might as well object to eating venison, and say how should we like it if we were the deer?"
"But does not God look upon all alike?"
They were on the castle green. Upon the sward some ants had raised a little hill.
"Look at these ants," said Brian; "I believe they have a sort of kingdom amongst themselves—some are priests, some masters, some slaves, one is king, and the like: to themselves they seem very important. Now I will place my foot upon the hill, and ruin their republic. Just so are the gods to us, if there be gods. They care as little about men as I about the ants; our joys, our griefs, our good deeds, our bad deeds, are alike to them. I was in deep affliction once about my poor leprous boys. I prayed with all my might; I gave alms; I had Masses said—all in vain. Now I go my own way, and you see I do not altogether fail of success, although I buy it with the tears and blood of other men."