Brigadier (solemnly). And Betty Martin. (Gendarmes sit at table.)
Macaire (to Bertrand). Dear friend, sit down.
Bertrand (sitting down). O Lord!
Brigadier (to Macaire). You seem to be a gentleman of considerable intelligence.
Macaire. I fear, sir, you flatter. One has lived, one has loved, and one remembers: that is all. One’s Lives of Celebrated Criminals has met with a certain success, and one is ever in quest of fresh material.
Dumont. By the way, a singular thing about my patent key.
Brigadier. This gentleman is speaking.
Macaire. Excellent Dumont! he means no harm. This Macaire is not personally known to you?
Brigadier. Are you connected with justice?
Macaire. Ah, sir, justice is a point above a poor author.