"Some day the Revolution will justify all that."
"Take care lest Terror should prove the calumny of the Revolution."
Gauvain continued,—
"Liberty, equality, fraternity,—these are the dogmas of peace and harmony. Why give them so terrible an aspect? What are we striving to accomplish? To bring all nations under one universal republic. Well, then, let us not terrify them. Of what use is intimidation? Neither nations nor birds can be attracted by fear. We must not do evil that good may come. We have not overturned the throne to leave the scaffold standing. Death to the king, and life to the nations. Let us strike off the crowns, but spare the heads. Revolution means concord, and not terror. Schemes of benevolence are but poorly served by merciless men. Amnesty is to me the grandest word in human language. I am opposed to the shedding of blood, save as I risk my own. Still, I am but a soldier; I can do no more than fight. Yet if we are to lose the privilege of pardoning, of what use is it to conquer? Let us be enemies, if you will, in battle; but when victory is ours, then is the time to be brothers."
"Take care!" repeated Cimourdain for the third time; "take care, Gauvain! You are dearer to me than a son."
And he added, thoughtfully,—
"In times like these pity may be nothing less than treason in another form."
Listening to these two men, one might have fancied himself hearing a dialogue between a sword and all axe.
