"I?"
"Yes."
"Where? When, Citizen President?" said Maurice, carried away by the firm conviction of his own innocence. "You have lied!"
"Your zeal for your country carries you too far, Citizen Maurice;" said the president, "and you will regret what you have said, when I tell you I can prove that I have advanced nothing but the truth. Here are three different reports accusing you."
"Now," said Maurice, "do you really think me simple enough to believe in your 'Chevalier de Maison-Rouge'?"
"And why should you not believe it?"
"Because it is only the ghost of a conspirator, with whom you always have a conspiracy ready to amuse your enemies."
"Read the denunciations."
"I will read nothing," said Maurice. "I protest I have never seen the Chevalier,—never spoken to him. Let any one who doubts my word of honor come and tell me so. I shall know how to answer him."