He paused, his sallow face flushed with the enthusiasm of his idea. André-Louis stared at him inscrutably.
"Well, what do you say to that?"
"That it is most ingenious." And André-Louis turned aside to look out of the window.
"And is that all you think of it?"
"I will not tell you what else I think of it because you probably would not understand. For you, M. Danton, there is at least this excuse that you did not know me. But you, Isaac—to bring this gentleman here with such a proposal!"
Le Chapelier was overwhelmed in confusion. "I confess I hesitated," he apologized. "But M. Danton would not take my word for it that the proposal might not be to your taste."
"I would not!" Danton broke in, bellowing. He swung upon Le Chapelier, brandishing his great arms. "You told me monsieur was a patriot. Patriotism knows no scruples. You call this mincing dancing-master a patriot?"
"Would you, monsieur, out of patriotism consent to become an assassin?"
"Of course I would. Have n't I told you so? Have n't I told you that I would gladly go among them with my club, and crack them like so many —— fleas?"
"Why not, then?"
"Why not? Because I should get myself hanged. Have n't I said so?"
"But what of that—being a patriot? Why not, like another Curtius, jump into the gulf, since you believe that your country would benefit by your death?"
M. Danton showed signs of exasperation. "Because my country will benefit more by my life."
"Permit me, monsieur, to suffer from a similar vanity."
"You? But where would be the danger to you? You would do your work under the cloak of duelling—as they do."
"Have you reflected, monsieur, that the law will hardly regard a fencing-master who kills his opponent as an ordinary
