"To have me declared president of the republic!" he exclaimed, with violence.
"I know it, but that is not of what I am speaking."
"Of what are you speaking, then?"
"Of the means you intend to employ to reach the end you are ambitious to arrive at."
"Ah, that is just where the shoe pinches. I do not know what to do; we are now wading in such a muddy pool—"
"That's an additional consideration," interrupted the duke; "the best fish are always found in troubled water."
"To say that to me!" said the general, with a burst of laughter; "I have never fished in any other but troubled water."
"Well, if you have succeeded up to the present time, you must continue."
"I should like to do so, but how?"
The duke appeared to reflect seriously for some minutes, while the general looked at him anxiously.