But before leaving, Morgan cast a last glance at Bonaparte.
The latter was still standing, motionless and silent, with folded arms, his eyes fixed upon the dagger, which occupied his thoughts far more than he was willing to admit even to himself.
As they crossed Roland's room, the Chief of the Companions of Jehu gathered up his cloak and pistols.

While he was putting them in his belt, Roland remarked: "The citizen First Consul seems to have shown you a dagger which I gave him." "Yes, monsieur," replied Morgan.
"Did you recognize it ?" "Not that one in particular; all our daggers are alike." "Well," said Roland, "I will tell you whence it came." "Ah! where was that ?" "From the breast of a friend of mine, where your Companions, possibly you yourself, thrust it." "Possibly," replied the young man carelessly.

"But your friend must have exposed himself to punishment." "My friend wished to see what was happening at night in the Chartreuse." "He did wrong." "But I did the same wrong the night before, and nothing happened to me." "Probably because some talisman protects you." "Monsieur, let me tell you something.

I am a straight-forward man who walks by daylight.

I have a horror of all that is mysterious." "Happy those who can walk the highroads by daylight, Monsieur de Montrevel!" "That is why I am going to tell you the oath I made, Monsieur Morgan.
As I drew the dagger you saw from my friend's breast, as carefully as possible, that I might not draw his soul with it, I swore that henceforward it should be war to the death between his assassins and myself.