Mouzon. I admit I overstepped the mark a trifle.
Attorney-General [reading] "Being in a state of intoxication, together with the woman Pecquet and two other women of bad character who accompanied him, the aforesaid Mouzon used insulting and outrageous language to the police, whom he threatened with dismissal." Is that what you call overstepping the mark a trifle?
Mouzon. Perhaps the expression is a little weak.
Attorney-General. And you allow the name of a magistrate to be coupled in a police report with that of the woman Pecquet?
Mouzon. She told me her name was Diane de Montmorency.
Attorney-General. [continuing] "Questioned by us, the commissary of police, on the following morning, as to the rank of officer in the navy which he had assumed"—[The Attorney-General gazes at Mouzon. Another pause]
Mouzon [still smiling] Yes, it's on account of my whiskers, you know.
Attorney-General. Really?
Mouzon. When I—oh, well—when I go to Bordeaux I always assume the rank of naval officer, in order to safeguard the dignity of the law.
Attorney-General. You seem to have been a little tardy in considering it.