“Why, this is utter madness; it is like plunging headlong into a deep pit, which you can easily see in your path.”
Tantaine gave a long, low whistle.
“My friend,” said he, “what in your opinion would be the best course to pursue?”
“I should say, without a moment’s hesitation, turn up the whole scheme, and look out for another one, which, if less lucrative, would not be so full of danger. You had hoped to win the game, and with good reason too. Now throw aside all feelings of wounded vanity, and accept your defeat. After all, it does not matter to us who Mademoiselle de Mussidan marries. The great enterprise fortunately does not lie in this alliance. We have still the idea of the Company to which all old people must subscribe remaining to us, and we can work it up at once.”
He stopped short, abashed by the look on Tantaine’s face.
“It strikes me,” resumed the doctor, a little mortified, “that my proposal is not utterly ridiculous, and certainly deserves some consideration.”
“Perhaps so; but is it a practical one?”
“I see no reason why it should not be.”
“Indeed, then, you look at the thing in a very different manner to myself. We are too far advanced, my dear doctor, to be our own masters. We must go on, and have no option to do otherwise. To beat a retreat would simply be to invite our enemies to fall upon our disorganized battalions. We must give battle; and as the first to strike has always the best chance of victory, we must strive to take the initiative.”
“The idea is good, but these are mere words.”