There was a moment of silence, during which each one seemed to have no thought but to finish dinner.
"Granting that this project is not likely," Florentin said, "I have another idea."
"Why do you have ideas?" Phillis asked.
"I wish you were in my place; we should see if you would not have them."
"I assure you that I am in your place, and that your trouble is mine, only it does not betray itself in the same manner. But what is your idea?"
"It is to find Valerius and tell him all."
"And who will answer to us for Valerius's discretion?" asked Madame
Cormier. "Would it not be the greatest imprudence that you could commit?
One cannot play with a secret of this importance."
"Valerius is an honest man."
"It is because he cannot work when political, or rather patriotic, affairs go wrong, that you say this."
"And why not? With a poor man who lives in a small way by his work, are not this care and pride in his country marks of an honorable heart?"