Mouzon. I see.

Mondoubleau. Tell me, by the way, what sort of a man is your State Attorney?

Mouzon. Monsieur Vagret?

Mondoubleau. Yes.

Mouzon. Oh, well—he's a very painstaking magistrate, very exact—

Mondoubleau. No, I mean as to his political opinions.

Mouzon. You mustn't blame him for being in the political camp of those who are diametrically opposed to us. At all events, don't run away with the idea that he is a mischievous person.

Mondoubleau. Narrow-minded. [He has for some little time been gazing at Mouzon's desk] I see you've got the Labastide brief on your table. There's nothing in it at all. I know Labastide well; he's one of my ablest electoral agents; and I assure you he's absolutely incapable of committing the actions of which he is accused. I told Monsieur Vagret as much, but I see he is prosecuting after all.

Mouzon. I can only assure you, my dear deputy, that I will give the Labastide affair my most particular attention.

Mondoubleau. I have too much respect for you, my dear fellow, to ask more of you. Well, well, I mustn't waste your time. So for the present—