"Eh? What?" he queried airily.
"If another five thousand francs is of any use to you...."
"You seem passing rich, citizen Martin-Roget," sneered Carrier.
"I have slaved and saved for four years. What I have amassed I will sacrifice for the completion of my revenge."
"Well!" rejoined Carrier with an expressive wave of the hand, "it certainly is not good for a pure-minded republican to own too much wealth. Have we not fought," he continued with a grandiloquent gesture, "for equality of fortune as well as of privileges...."
A sardonic laugh from young Lalouët broke in on the proconsul's eloquent effusion.
Carrier swore as was his wont, but after a second or two he began again more quietly:
"I will accept a further six thousand francs from you, citizen Martin-Roget, in the name of the Republic and all her needs. The Republic of France is up in arms against the entire world. She hath need of men, of arms, of...."
"Oh! cut that," interposed young Lalouët roughly.
But the over-vain, high and mighty despot who was ready to lash out with unbridled fury against the slightest show of disrespect on the part of any other man, only laughed at the boy's impudence.