"If I am to quit France I will not leave the fortress. This is yet another outrage. They have no more the right to exile me than they had the right to imprison me. I have on my side the Law, Right, my old services, my commission. I protest. Who are you, sir?"
"I am the Private Secretary of the Minister of the Interior."
"Ah! it is you who are named Léopold Lehon."
The young man cast down his eyes.
Charras continued,—
"You come on the part of some one whom they call 'Minister of the Interior,' M. de Morny, I believe. I know M. de Morny. A bald young man; he has played the game where people lose their hair; and now he is playing the game where people risk their heads."
The conversation was painful. The young man was deeply interested in the toe of his boot.
After a pause, however, he ventured to speak,—
"M. Charras, I am instructed to say that if you want money—"
Charras interrupted him impetuously.