“The nobility! That of our country might be tolerated, but foreign noblemen are mere adventurers.”
“It is well known that the Panines come from Posen—the papers have mentioned them more than twenty times.”
“Why is he not in his own country?”
“He is exiled.”
“He has done something wrong, then!”
“He has, like all his family, fought for independence.”
“Then he is a revolutionist!”
“A patriot.”
“You are very kind to tell me all that.”
“I may hate Prince Panine,” said Pierre, simply, “but that is no reason why I should not be just to him.”