Mondoubleau. No, no. In politics there can be no scandal except where there is publicity.
Attorney-General. But really—
Mondoubleau. I agree with you—I know all that could be said—I repeat, I am only chaffing. And do you realize—it's very curious—when one reflects—this fantastic solution is the only one that does not offer serious disadvantages—obvious disadvantages. That is so. If you leave Mouzon here, Coire tells everything. If you proceed against him, you give a certain section of the press an opportunity it won't lose—an opportunity of sapping one of the pillars of society. Those gentry are not particular as to the means they employ. They will confound the whole magistracy with Mouzon. It won't be Mouzon who will be the rake, but the Court, the Court of Appeal. There will be mud on all—on every robe.
Attorney-General. But you can't seriously ask me—
Mondoubleau. Do you know what we ought to do? Let us go and talk it over with Rollet the senator—he is only a step from here.
Attorney-General. I assure you—
Mondoubleau. Come—come. You will put in a word as to your going to Orléans at the same time. What have you to risk? I tell you my solution is the best. You will come to it, I assure you! I'll take you along. [He takes his arm]
Attorney-General. Well, well, I had certainly something to say to Rollet.
The doorkeeper enters.
Doorkeeper. Your honor—