"Will the citizen kindly advise me what answer it will be most prudent to make?" And for comment on his own words, which altogether pleased him, a pleasant smile drifted downward over his large features.
"Sacré! but thou art a queer one, and no fool," said the Jacobin. "Thou wilt be dead before long; a monstrous pity! I would give my place for thy laugh."
"'T is a bargain to my mind. Let us change. I shall set thee free at once—at once, citizen commissioner; I bear no malice."
Amar, silent for a moment, stroked his nose with thumb and finger.
"Thou dost not remind me thou didst save my life."
"No; what is the use?"
"Use? Why not?"
"Because men like the citizen commissioner do not lightly change. I have a too plain recollection of what I was promised in return for my benevolence. I should regret it except for—"
"For what?" said Amar.
Then François rose to the height of his greatness.