Was the big man a poltroon whom the bold front shown to Grio brought to heel?
Or was there something behind, some secret upon which his words had unwittingly touched?
"He is a good man," Basterga said.

"And of the first in Geneva.

His brother too, who is Procureur-General.

Their father died for the State, and the sons, the Syndic in particular, served with high honour in the war.

Savoy has no stouter foe than Philibert Blondel, nor Geneva a more devoted son." And he drank as if he drank a toast to them.
Claude nodded.
"A man of great parts too.