But when the last one was gone, when the door was shut behind them, and the shutters closed so carefully that not even a ray of light could escape through them, Augereau grew very grave, and turning to Eugene said: "Now, my young pupil, we must think of your safety."
"What! of my safety? Didn't you just say that I had nothing to fear and that you would answer for my safety?"
"Certainly, I will answer for you, but on the condition that you do what I say."
"And what do you want me to do? I hope you don't intend to suggest some act of cowardice."
"Monsieur le Marquis," said Augereau, "I must have no more of those suspicions, or, by the Republic, you and I will quarrel."
"Come, my good Pierre, don't get angry. What do you want me to do?"
"I have no confidence in a man who disguises himself with a nose like that when it is not carnival time. In the first place, he will not fight."
"Why won't he fight?"
"Because he looks to me like a great coward."