first I should have died. I had not dreamed the wretch was so
observant; but hate sharpens the ears, and he had counted our interviews
and actually knew Flora by her name. Gradually my coolness returned to
me, accompanied by a volume of living anger that surprised myself.

"Are you nearly done?" I asked. "Because if you are, I am about to say a
word or two myself."

"O, fair play!" said he. "Turnabout! The Marquis of Carabas to the
tribune."

"Very well," said I. "I have to inform you that I am a gentleman. You do
not know what that means, hey? Well, I will tell you. It is a comical
sort of animal; springs from another strange set of creatures they call
ancestors; and, in common with toads and other vermin, has a thing that
he calls feelings. The lion is a gentleman; he will not touch carrion. I
am a gentleman, and I cannot bear to soil my fingers with such a lump of
dirt. Sit still, Philippe Goguelat! sit still and, do not say a word, or
I shall know you are a coward; the eyes of our guards are upon us. Here
is your health!" said I, and pledged him in the prison beer. "You have
chosen to speak in a certain way of a young child," I continued, "who
might be your daughter, and who was giving alms to me and some others of
us mendicants. If the Emperor"--saluting--"if my Emperor could hear you,
he would pluck off the Cross from your gross body. I cannot do that; I
cannot take away what his Majesty has given; but one thing I promise
you--I promise you, Goguelat, you shall be dead to-night."

I had borne so much from him in the past, I believe he thought there was
no end to my forbearance, and he was at first amazed. But I have the
pleasure to think that some of my expressions had pierced through his
thick hide; and besides, the brute was truly a hero of valour, and loved
fighting for itself. Whatever the cause, at least, he had soon pulled
himself together, and took the thing (to do him justice) handsomely.

"And I promise you, by the devil's horns, that you shall have the
chance!" said he, and pledged me again; and again I did him scrupulous
honour.

The news of this defiance spread from prisoner to prisoner with the
speed of wings; every face was seen to be illuminated like those of the
spectators at a horse-race; and indeed you must first have tasted the
active life of a soldier, and then mouldered for a while in the tedium
of a gaol, in order to understand, perhaps even to excuse, the delight
of our companions. Go