"Liberty, my dear Courtin, is the sacrifice that each man makes of his personal independence for the good of all. It is from the general fund of independence that each man draws his liberty; we are free, Courtin, but not independent."
"Oh, as for me," said Courtin, "I don't know anything about all that. I am a mayor and the holder of land; and I have captured the best hounds of the Marquis de Souday's pack, Galon-d'Or and Allégro, and I shall not give them up. Let him come after them, and when he does I shall ask him what he has been doing in certain meetings at Torfou and Montaigu."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, I know what I mean."
"Yes, but I don't."
"There is no reason why you should know; you are not a mayor."
"No, but I am an inhabitant of the place and I have an interest in knowing what happens."
"As for that, it is easy to see what is happening; these people are conspiring again."
"What people?"
"Why, the nobles! the--but I'd better hold my tongue, though you are not exactly their style of nobility, you."