"You must realize, monsieur, that it is with sincerest thankfulness
that I find I have done nothing calling for repentance; that, on
the contrary, when France is given the inestimable boon of a
constitution, as will shortly happen, I may take pride in having
played my part in bringing about the conditions that have made this
possible."
There was a pause. M. de Kercadiou's face turned from pink to
purple.
"You have quite finished?" he said harshly.
"If you have understood me, monsieur."
"Oh, I have understood you, and... and I beg that you will go."
Andre-Louis shrugged his shoulders and hung his head. He had come
there so joyously, in such yearning, merely to receive a final
dismissal. He looked at Aline. Her face was pale and troubled;
but her wit failed to show her how she could come to his assistance.
His excessive honesty had burnt all his boats.
"Very well, monsieur. Yet this I would ask you to remember after I
am gone. I have not come to you as one seeking assistance, as one
driven to you by need.
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