And then the crisp voice of the witty Canales, that very rapier of
the Privileged party, cut sharply into the speaker's momentary pause.
"M. le President," he asked with great solemnity, "has the
deputy-suppleant mounted the tribune for the purpose of taking part
in the debate on the constitution of the legislative assemblies,
or for the purpose of pronouncing a funeral oration upon the
departed deputy Lagron?"
This time it was the Blacks who gave way to mirth, until checked
by the deputy-suppleant.
"That laughter is obscene!" In this truly Gallic fashion he flung
his glove into the face of Privilege, determined, you see, upon no
half measures; and the rippling laughter perished on the instant
quenched in speechless fury.
Solemnly he proceeded.
"You all know how Lagron died. To refer to his death at all
requires courage, to laugh in referring to it requires something
that I will not attempt to qualify. If I have alluded to his
decease, it is because my own appearance among you seemed to render
some such allusion necessary.
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