"Yes. I am calm because I have faith in the cause to which I devoted my life—and because my conscience assails me with no reproaches."
"And yet—you are in this place, monsieur."
"I pity the error of my judges."
"You—the incarnation of honor, in the livery of infamy!"
"Bah! That does not affect me."
"Far from your wife, from your children!"
"They are as often here with me as I am with them. The body is chained and separated, but the spirit laughs at chains and space."
And interrupting himself, Lebrenn added:
"But, monsieur, kindly inform me by what accident I see you here. The Commissioner of the prison sent for me. Was it only to afford me the honor of receiving your visit?"
"You would misjudge me, monsieur," answered the General, "were you to believe that, after owing my life to you, I could come here with no other motive than that of idle and offensive curiosity."