“So I think, but even then you cannot avoid publicity.”
“Tell me frankly if you feel disposed to bear witness to what the rascal has said in a court of justice.”
“I will tell all I know with perfect truth.”
“Be kind enough to tell me of a good advocate.”
“I will give you the address of one of the best; but reflect before you do anything. The affair will make a noise.”
“As I don’t know where he lives, I have really no choice in the matter.”
If I had known where he lived I could have had Possano expelled from Lyons through the influence of Madame d’Urfe, whose relative, M. de la Rochebaron, was the governor; but as it was, I had no other course than the one I took.
Although Possano was a liar and an ungrateful, treacherous hound, yet I could not help being uneasy. I went to my hotel, and proceeded to ask for police protection against a man in hiding in Lyons, who had designs against my life and honour.
The next day M. Bono came to dissuade me from the course I had taken.
“For,” said he, “the police will begin to search for him, and as soon as he hears of it he will take proceedings against you in the criminal courts, and then your positions will be changed. It seems to me that if you have no important business at Lyons you had better hasten your departure.”