"If I venture to present myself at your house, Monsieur," said Maurice,
gravely and impressively, "it is because I know all. I have discovered
your revengeful project. You are looking for men to aid you, are you
not? Very well! look me in the face, in the eyes, and tell me if I am
not one of those whom a leader is glad to enroll among his followers."
M. Lacheneur was terribly agitated.
"I do not know what you mean," he faltered, forgetting his feigned
anger; "I have no projects."
"Would you assert this upon oath? Why are you casting these bullets? You
are clumsy conspirators. You should lock your door; someone else might
have entered."
And adding example to precept, he turned and pushed the bolt.
"This is only an imprudence," he continued; "but to reject a soldier who
comes to you voluntarily would be a fault for which your associate would
have a right to call you to account. I have no desire, understand me,
to force myself into your confidence. No, I give myself to you blindly,
body and soul. Whatever your cause may be, I declare it mine; what you
wish, I wish; I adopt your plans; your enemies are my enemies; command,
I will obey.
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