Above them were the superior judges who wore ermine robes over their black gowns.

These, renowned for their knowledge and doctrine, formed a court whose terrible name expressed power.

It was called the Court of Appeal (Cassation) so as to make it clear that it was the hammer suspended over the judgments and decrees of all other jurisdictions.
One of these superior red Judges of the Supreme Court, called Chaussepied, led a modest and tranquil life in a suburb of Alca.

His soul was pure, his heart honest, his spirit just.

When he had finished studying his documents he used to play the violin and cultivate hyacinths.