Maria. Just listen to the contemptible rascal?
D’Eglantiers (to Michiel). You’re a fine fellow! Just let the lass fetch a litre of wine from the cellar.
Michiel. Do you hear? Fetch wine for the gentlemen.
Maria (treading on his toes as she goes out). You villainous traitor!
D’Eglantiers (to Michiel). Do you live in the house?
Michiel. I live here, Captain. (Aside.) I need not tell him in what capacity.
D’Eglantiers. You are a brave citoyen! Without you, we should never have found the way to this village so soon. I think I might make you Burgomaster.
Michiel. Indeed you couldn’t do better, Captain. I will at once give orders to have the Brabant flag hoisted.
[He is about to leave the room.]
D’Eglantiers. There’s no need of that. It’s obscur out of doors, and one can’t very well distinguish the colours. But I’ll tell you what to do. Go at once and fetch the notables of the village, and tell them to come here to-morrow with the first lumière to hold a meeting of the council. Corporal Nestiers, go along with the Burgomaster, and whoever does not come with you at once, de bonne volonté, you must bring him by force; for liberty must triumph.