Part 142 (1/2)
”Yes, to you. Can one accuse you of anything so bad, that it is not true?”
”My brother!”
”Bah! you have no brother here. I have long been meditating a discourse, and now you shall have it. I divide it into three heads. First, you are a tyrant; second, you are a satyr; third, you are dethroned.”
”Dethroned!”
”Neither more or less. This abbey is not like Poland, and you cannot fly.”
”Ah! a snare!”
”Oh, Valois, learn that a king is but a man.”
”You are violent, my brother.”
”Pardieu! do you think we imprison you to flatter you?”
”You abuse your religious calling.”
”There is no religion.”
”Oh, you are a saint, and say such things!”
”I have said it.”
”You speak dreadfully, my brother.”
”Come, no preaching; are you ready?”
”To do what?”
”To resign your crown; I am charged to demand it of you.”
”You are committing a mortal sin.”
”Oh! I have right of absolution, and I absolve myself in advance.
Come, renounce, Brother Valois.”
”Renounce what?”
”The throne of France.”
”Rather death!”
”Oh! then you shall die! Here is the prior returning. Decide!”
”I have my guards--my friends; they will defend me.”
”Yes, but you will be killed first.”
”Leave me at least a little time for reflection.”