"Oh, goodness! yes," said Lorin; "I resemble the Citizen Dagobert,—mind, I did not say king."
"Well, dress," said the commissary; "but make haste!"
The official came down to help his master to dress. However, it was not exactly that Lorin required a valet-de-chambre; it was that nothing might escape the notice of the official, and that consequently he might detail everything to Maurice.
"Now, gentlemen,—pardon, Citizens. Now, Citizens, I am ready, and will follow you; but permit me, I beg, to carry with me the last volume of 'Lettres à Émilie,' by Monsieur Demoustier, which has just appeared, and I have not read. It will enliven the hours of my captivity."
"Your captivity?" said Simon, sharply, now become municipal in his turn, and entering, followed by four sectionaries, "that will not last long. You figure in the trial of the woman who wanted to assist the Austrian to escape. They try her to-day; and to-morrow, when you have given your testimony, your turn will come."
"Cobbler," said Lorin, "you stitch your soles too quickly."
"Yes; but what a nice stroke from the leather-cutting knife!" replied Simon; "you will see, you will see, my fine grenadier!"
Lorin shrugged his shoulders.
"Well," said he, "let us go; I am waiting for you."