"Is that all? are you perfectly sure? nothing by word of mouth in addition?"
"Not a bit."
"Strange!" said Launay, plunging his glance by a loophole on Bastile Square. "Then tell me your want and be quick."
"The people want you to give up the Bastile."
"What do you say?" cried Launay, turning quickly as if he must be mistaken in his hearing.
"I summon you in the people's name to give up the Bastile."
"Queer animals the people," sneered Launay, snapping his fingers. "What do they want with the Bastile?"
"To demolish it."
"Why, what the mischief is the Bastile to the people? is any common man ever shut up herein? why, the people ought to bless every stone of the Bastile. Who are locked up here? philosophers, learned men, aristocrats, statesmen, princes—all the enemies of the dregs."
"This only proves that the people are not selfish and want to do good to others."