At this question Pikulinski accidentally let fall a "yes," which he tried to smother by coughing.
"Poland," replied Jacob, "claims only the liberties guaranteed by legitimate treaties of the past. It would be much better to give them to her, than to reply by terrorism and false claims."
The counsellor of state could scarcely suppress a "yes," which was on the point of coming out; then he feared that he had compromised himself by merely assisting at this conversation; he was taken with pains in the stomach, and took refuge in another part of the room.
"You are putting yourself in a bad light, monsieur," replied the count. "We do not recognize any rights whatever on the part of Poland nor the Poles, not even the inherent rights of men. Our first duty is to repress this revolutionary tendency. Our strength sustains us; it is by this that we live. Our sole means of existence are our swords."
"To say that Russia's only power is brute force," replied Jacob, "is to avow her moral weakness."
"Until the present the empire has had no other foundation than force, described by you as brutal. That may change, perhaps; but in the meanwhile I repeat to you our gospel is the sword."
The count's cynicism shocked the colonel, who was more diplomatic.
"Monsieur le Comte," said he, "I cannot entirely agree with you. There are certain hereditary rights which should be superior to force."
Pikulinski almost let fall a "yes," but judged it prudent to await a better occasion.
"Passive obedience," continued Jacob, addressing the count, "seems to be your principal axiom."