Part 49 (2/2)
Did an attack of smallpox produce certain moral results which found expression in this way?
He dismissed the idle speculation, or rather it was shattered by the startling thunder of Danton's voice
”This ------ Chapelier has told me of you He says that you are a patriotic ------”
More than by the tone was Andre-Louis startled by the obscenities hich the Colossus did not hesitate to interlard his first speech to a total stranger He laughed outright There was nothing else to do
”If he has told you that, he has told you more than the truth! I am a patriot The rest my modesty compels me to disavow”
”You're a joker too, it seehed nevertheless, and the volume of it shook the s ”There's no offence in me I am like that”
”What a pity,” said Andre-Louis
It disconcerted the king of the ive himself airs, your friend here?”
The spruce Breton, a very petit-maitre in appearance by contrast with his cohtwith the eed as he answered him:
”It is merely that he doesn't like yourThey are execrable”
”Ah, bah! You are all like that, you ------ Bretons Let's come to business You'll have heard what took place in the assembly yesterday?
You haven't? My God, where do you live? Have you heard that this scoundrel who calls hie across French soil the other day to Austrian troops going to crush those who fight for liberty in Belgium? Have you heard that, by any chance?”
”Yes,” said Andre-Louis coldly,manner ”I have heard that”
”Oh! And what do you think of it?” Arms akimbo, the Colossus towered above him
Andre-Louis turned aside to Le Chapelier
”I don't think I understand Have you brought this gentleman here to examine my conscience?”
”Name of a name! He's prickly as a ------ porcupine!” Danton protested
”No, no” Le Chapelier was conciliatory, seeking to provide an antidote to the irritant administered by his companion ”We require your help, Andre Danton here thinks that you are the very man for us Listen now”
”That's it You tell hi--sort of French He'll probably understand you”
Le Chapelier went on without heeding the interruption ”This violation by the King of the obvious rights of a country engaged in fra a constitution that shall make it free has shattered every philanthropic illusion we still cherished There are those who go so far as to proclai the vowed enemy of France But that, of course, is excessive”
”Who says so?” blazed Danton, and swore horribly by way of conveying his total disagreement