Buteux
A fire would be better, for it can be put out.
Philosopher
But the other can be choked.
Lafouraille
Bah! He has had enough of this trifling.
Buteux
So we are to have more moralizing—thank you for that.
Fil-de-Soie
He cannot want me for I have not been out.
Vautrin (to Fil-de-Soie) You? The evening when I bade you exchange your scullion's cap for a footman's hat—poisoner—
Fil-de-Soie
We will drop the extra names.
Vautrin And you accompanied me as my footman to the field marshal's; while helping me on with my cloak, you stole the watch of the Cossack prince.
Fil-de-Soie
One of the enemies of France.
Vautrin
You, Buteux, you old malefactor, carried off the opera-glass of the
Princesse d'Arjos the evening she set down your young master at our
gate.