"Alas, no! What, then, said this decree, in the name of God?"
"In the first place, we no longer say 'God'; we only speak of the 'Supreme Being' now."
"Pardon my error. It is an old custom."
"Bad habit—the habit of the aristocracy."
"I will endeavor to correct myself, Citizen; but you said—"
"I said that the decree of the Commune prohibited any one to go out, after ten at night, without a civic pass. Now, have you this civic pass?"
"Alas! no."
"You have forgotten it at your relative's?"
"I was ignorant of the necessity of taking it with me on going out."
"Then come with us to the first post; there you can explain all prettily to the captain; and if he feels perfectly satisfied with your explanation, he will depute two men to conduct you in safety to your abode, else you will be detained for further information. File left! forward! quick march!"