"To speak like other people, indeed! Now, it appears to me I speak better than most people. I speak as the Citizen Demoustier, both in prose and poetry. As for my poetry, mon cher, I know a certain Emilie who does not consider it so bad. But to return to yours."
"My poetry!"
"No; your Emilie."
"Have I an Emilie?"
"Ah, ah! your gazelle may have turned tigress, and shown her teeth in a manner that may not have pleased you, although in love."
"I in love?" said Maurice, shaking his head.
"Yes, you in love.
"Deadly are the bolts of Jove,
But deadlier far the shafts of love."
"Lorin," said Maurice, arming himself with a pipe-key which lay upon the table; "I swear that if you will spout verses I will whistle."
"Then let us talk politics; besides, that brought me here. Have you heard the news?"