"How is the feeling in the country since his illness?" she asked.
"Never so strong as now. Many new recruits come to him. Organisation goes
on, and His Excellency has issued a proclamation. I have advised him
against that--it is not necessary, it is illegal. He should not tempt our
Government too far. But he is a gentleman of as great simplicity as
courage, of directness and virtue--a wholesome soldier--"
She thought again of that moonlit night, and Elise's window, and a kind
of hatred of the man came up in her. No, no, she was wrong; he was not
the true thing.
"Dear avocat," she said suddenly, "you are a good friend. May I have
always as good! But have you ever thought that this thing may end in sore
disaster? Are we doing right? Is the man worthy our friendship and our
adherence?"
"Ah, dear madame, convictions, principles, truth, they lead to good
ends--somewhere. I have a letter here from Monsieur Valmond. It breathes
noble things; it has humour, too--ah, yes, so quaint! I am to see him
this afternoon--he returns to the Louis Quinze to-day. The Cure and I--"
She laid her hand on his arm, interrupting him.
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