"The voyage that you are to make by keeping me company. We shall depart this evening."
"Depart—this evening!"
"Would you prefer to serve the Republic?"
"The Republic!" exclaimed the Count of Plouernel. "What Republic?"
"The one that will be proclaimed in Paris, within shortly, after the downfall of Louis Philippe."
"The downfall of Louis Philippe! The Republic in France—and within shortly!"
"Yes, the French Republic—one, and indivisible—proclaimed in our interest—provided we know how to wait—"
And the Cardinal indulged in a singular smile as he inhaled a pinch of snuff.
The Count contemplated him dumbfounded. He looked as if he had just dropped down from the clouds.
"I see, my poor Gonthram, you must have been either blind or deaf," the Cardinal proceeded, shrugging his shoulders. "Do you see nothing in those revolutionary banquets that have succeeded one another throughout the principal cities of France during the last three months?"