La Bouzole. Good-day, Benoît.
Recorder [hesitating to take the hand which La Bouzole extends to him] Your worship. It's too great an honor—
La Bouzole. Come, come, Monsieur Benoît, shake hands with me. From to-day I'm no longer a magistrate; my dignity no longer demands that I shall be impolite to my inferiors. How far have they got with the Etchepare trial?
Recorder. So far the hearing has been devoted entirely to the indictment and the counsel's address.
La Bouzole. They will finish to-day?
Recorder. Oh, surely. Even if Monsieur Vagret were to reply, because his Honor the President of Assizes goes hunting to-morrow morning.
La Bouzole. You think it will be an acquittal, Monsieur Benoît?
Recorder. I do, your worship. [He is about to go out]
La Bouzole. Who is the old lady waiting in the corridor?
Recorder. That is Etchepare's mother, your worship.