“We will waive that point. The matter at present is, how much will it take to buy your silence for the future?”
“And I am sorry I did not kill you when I had the chance,” continued Maurice, as if following a train of thought.
“We never realize how great the opportunity is till it has passed beyond our reach. Well, how much?”
“I am not in need of money.”
“To be sure; I forgot. But the archbishop could not have given you a competence for life.”
“I choked a few facts out of Kopf,” said Maurice. “You will wear no crown—that is, earthly.”
“And your heavenly one is near at hand,” rejoined Beauvais.
Maurice absently fingered a bayonet.
“You refuse this conciliation on my part?” asked Beauvais.
“Positively.”