"What's that to you? You are not my superior officer. Let go of my collar."
"I am an officer in the king's army, and there is an unwritten law that all non-commissioned officers are my inferiors, here or elsewhere, and must obey me. You shall go to the guardhouse. I asked nothing of you but a common courtesy, and you became insolent. To the guardhouse you shall go."
"My superior, eh?" tugging uselessly at the hand of iron gripping his collar. "I know one thing, and it is something you, fine gentleman that you are, do not know. I know who my mother was …"
The corporal lay upon his back, his eyes bulging, his face purple, his breaths coming in agonizing gasps.
"Who told you to say that? Quick, or you shall this instant stand in judgment before the God who made you! Quick!"
There was death in the Chevalier's eyes, and the corporal saw it. He struggled.
"Quick!"
"Monsieur d'Hérouville! … You are killing me!"
The Chevalier released the man's throat.
"Get up," contemptuously.