“And rhomboid in shape,” said M. Bergeret.
“It bears no inscription,” said the rector.
“That is a pity!” answered M. Bergeret. “Commander Aspertini found at Modena some sling stones used by the soldiers of Hirtius and of Pansa against the followers of Octavius, in the year 43 B.C. These stones bore inscriptions, indicating whom they were intended to strike. M. Aspertini showed me one destined for Livy. I leave you to guess in what form the soldier’s humour couched the terms of the inscription.”
His voice was drowned at this point by cries of “Conspuez Bergeret! Mort aux juifs!” which rose from the square.
Taking the stone from the hands of the rector, M. Bergeret placed it upon his table to serve as a letter-weight, and as soon as he could hear himself speak, went on with his remarks:
“Horrible cruelties were committed after the defeat of the two consuls at Modena. It cannot be denied that society has improved since then.”
The crowd went on yelling, however, and Riquet replied to it with heroic barks.
CHAPTER XIII
