"What a pity," said Andre-Louis.
It disconcerted the king of the markets. "Eh? what's this, Chapelier? Does he give himself airs, your friend here?"
The spruce Breton, a very petit-maitre in appearance by contrast with his companion, but nevertheless of a down-right manner quite equal to Danton's in brutality, though dispensing with the emphasis of foulness, shrugged as he answered him: "It is merely that he doesn't like your manners, which is not at all surprising. They 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 himself King of France gave passage 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, masking his irritation before the other's hectoring 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 him," Danton agreed. "You both talk the same mincing--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 framing a constitution that shall make it free has shattered every philanthropic illusion we still cherished. There are those who go so far as to proclaim the King 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.
Le Chapelier waved him into silence, and proceeded.
"Anyhow, the matter has been more than enough, added to all the rest, to set us by the ears again in the Assembly. It is open war between the Third Estate and the Privileged."
"Was it ever anything else?"
"Perhaps not; but it has assumed a new character. You'll have heard of the duel between Lameth and the Duc de Castries?"