"We have come to repress and punish outrage—to save Frenchmen from Frenchmen and savages," said I.
"True; we have been apt to consider prosperity treason to the people. Wealth, an enemy to the purity of a republic, and in this spirit have ventured to hang and even to boil in their own coppers a few very aristocratic planters in their exceedingly democratic sugar-mills—but what then? Do have a cigar, mon ami."
"Bantering villain! we have had enough of this. I would speak of Eulalie de Rouvigny, whom you have destroyed like a wretch as you are."
"Monsieur permits himself to be impertinent. Am I, a French citizen—a husband, to be accountable in this little matter to you?"
"You are accountable to humanity."
"Bah! we don't value that much in these days when charges of bayonets are common things."
"It would seem so."
"Well, monsieur?"
"What inspired a deed so foul, so cruel, as the abduction and the death of Eulalie?"
"Honour."