"
"Exactly--exactly," said Santerre, interrupting him, "you are a cripple
I see. There is no evidence wanting to show that you haven't taken up
arms. It is this pestilent son of yours has brought you into trouble."
"He would have been no son of mine had he not acted as he has done,"
said the old man indignantly.
"Will you hold your silly tongue, my friend," said Santerre. "He is
doting, quite doting, I see," and he turned round to his brother
officers, as though appealing to them to corroborate his opinion.
"Either that, or else he must be very fond of Mademoiselle Guillotine,"
said one of them.
"Well, now, old gentleman, answer me this question," said Santerre, "do
you want to die this evening?"
"If I could but think that my daughter was safe, and out of the power
of that viper, whom I have warmed in my bosom, death would not be
unwelcome to me."
"Viper!" said Denot, curling his lips, and speaking through his closed
teeth. "Warmed in your bosom! I have yet to learn, old man, that I owe
you ought; but if it be a comfort to you to know it, know that no worse
evil awaits your daughter than to become the wife of a true Frenchman.
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