"That's vaudeville, if you like! You would make your fortune at the theatre, Bixiou." Bixiou.

"What have you said about Quiberon ?" [Reads over du Bruel's shoulder.] "Oh, that won't do! Here, this is what you must say: 'He took upon himself, in a book recently published, the responsibility for all the blunders of the expedition to Quiberon,--thus proving the nature of his loyalty, which did not shrink from any sacrifice.' That's clever and witty, and exalts La Billardiere." Du Bruel.

"At whose expense ?" Bixiou [solemn as a priest in a pulpit].

"Why, Hoche and Tallien, of course; don't you read history ?" Du Bruel.

"No.