"I mean emperors and empresses," continued Chicot.
"You know Latin, M. Chicot?"
"Yes and no, sire."
"You are lucky if it is 'yes,' for you have an immense advantage over me, who do not know it, but you—"
"They taught me to read it, sire, as well as Greek and Hebrew."
"You are a living book, M. Chicot."
"Your majesty has found the exact word—'a book.' They print something on my memory, they send me where they like, I arrive, I am read and understood."
"Or not understood."
"How so, sire?"
"Why, if one does not know the language in which you are printed."