"The papers!"
"Never!" protested Amélie.
"'Tis an infernal trap!" exclaimed Louis Pierre.
"Bandits! The snare is well laid," added Giacinto.
"Monseigneur!" implored de Brezé. "Those papers are of inestimable value to us; they should be exhibited only before a court of justice. Our enemies seek to obtain possession of these papers, and, if they succeed, our cause is lost. The watch-maker Naundorff will be without proofs of his identity."
Naundorff became tremulous with anger.
"Dare not impute such infamy to my sister or I shall attribute villainy to yourselves. In this matter, I accept suggestions from no one. 'Tis an affair between God and myself. This is not a question for man to settle, for what value have the misleading judgments of earth? I alone decide. I am the State! I am the King. These papers pertain to myself only, even as my life is my exclusive property. If my sister, on seeing me, shall waive material proofs, how happy I shall be! But if she doubt or repulse me, what a joy, what a Satanic joy 'twill be to fling these testimonials in her face and say, 'Farewell forever. Our mother curses you!'"
He broke into a mocking laugh, such a laugh as terminates in nervous hysteria, while the others with saddened faces remained silent. Then he rose to leave, saying to de Brezé:
"René, I trust to you to bring me the papers Thursday morning. If you do not accede to this request, you will force me to violence."
As he passed out, Amélie said entreatingly to her lover: