The two men started to their feet, looking at each other as they had looked when Fate and their crimes first brought them together. Yes, it was Sanselme, who had simply changed the letters in his name and become Maslenes, who now spoke to his former associate with such contempt.
And it was Benedetto who sneered and laughed in the face of the man whom at Toulon he had almost hated. They neither of them spoke, but in their faces a strange transformation took place. Sanselme, first so bold, almost arrogant, by degrees began to hang his head, while Benedetto looked more and more triumphant.
"Let us sit down and reason together," he said.
"And why?" answered Sanselme, drearily. "You and I have nothing in common."
"I don't know that!"
"Listen to me for one moment. Our respective positions must be distinctly defined. Fate brought us together—Fate separated us. Neither you nor I desire to awaken all these terrible memories. I now bid you forget my very existence—"
He stopped short. Benedetto had laid his hand on his shoulder.
"And suppose I do not wish to be forgotten by you?" he said, slowly.
Sanselme started and looked at him with a terrified expression.