For a moment the massive form of Mirabeau brought up alongside of
him.
"Felicitations, M. Moreau," said the great man. "You acquitted
yourself very well. They will want your blood, no doubt. But be
discreet, monsieur, if I may presume to advise you, and do not
allow yourself to be misled by any false sense of quixotry.
Ignore their challenges. I do so myself. I place each challenger
upon my list. There are some fifty there already, and there they
will remain. Refuse them what they are pleased to call satisfaction,
and all will be well." Andre-Louis smiled and sighed.
"It requires courage," said the hypocrite.
"Of course it does. But you would appear to have plenty."
"Hardly enough, perhaps. But I shall do my best."
They had come through the vestibule, and although this was lined
with eager Blacks waiting for the young man who had insulted them
so flagrantly from the rostrum, Andre-Louis' body-guard had
prevented any of them from reaching him.
Emerging now into the open, under the great awning at the head of
the Carriere, erected to enable carriages to reach the door under
cover, those in front of him dispersed a little, and there was a
moment as he reached the limit of the awning when his front was
entirely uncovered.
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