M. de
Vilmorin was an incendiary of the worst type, a man of eloquence
full of false ideals that misled poor ignorant men into believing
that the change proposed could make the world a better place for
them. You are an intelligent man, and I defy you to answer me from
your heart and conscience that such a thing was true or possible.
You know that it is untrue; you know that it is a pernicious
doctrine; and what made it worse on the lips of M. de Vilmorin was
that he was sincere and eloquent. His voice was a danger that must
be removed - silenced. So much was necessary in self-defence. In
self-defence I did it. I had no grudge against M. de Vilmorin. He
was a man of my own class; a gentleman of pleasant ways, amiable,
estimable, and able.
"You conceive me slaying him for the very lust of slaying, like
some beast of the jungle flinging itself upon its natural prey.
That has been your error from the first. I did what I did with the
very heaviest heart - oh, spare me your sneer! - I do not lie, I
have never lied.
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