"I know by the date you name and by the year that this is," said I defiantly.
He uttered a coarse French expression and added, "You want to prove that I have been insensible for forty-eight years."
"It is the fact," said I.
He looked so wild and fierce that I drew myself erect ready for him if he should fall upon me. Then, slowly wagging his head whilst the anger in his face softened out, he said, "Who reigns in France now?"
I said, "There is no king; he was beheaded."
"What was his name?" said he.
"Louis the Sixteenth," I answered.
"Ha!" cried he, with an arch sneer; "Louis the Sixteenth, hey? Are you sure it wasn't Louis the Seventeenth?"
"He is dead too."
"This is news, Mr. Rodney," said he scornfully.