"Because David has promised me the Cross, through the influence of M. Portalis, when I write my first important work alone."
I looked at Soulié in utter amazement. I do not think that even he himself quite realised the nature of his brusque outbursts.
"Therefore," he added, "I intend to use that subject for a tragedy myself."
"Oh!" I said, laying the volumes down.
"That need not prevent you writing your own drama, you understand, if you mean to stick to the idea."
"On the same subject as you?"
"There are more theatres than one in Paris; and a dozen ways of treating a subject."
"But which of us will read it at the Théâtre-Français?"
"Whichever shall finish first."
"Would it not annoy you?"