But he pondered not these things, for all that the stern irony of the coincidence did not escape him.

That evil look in Charlot's eyes, that sinister smile on Charlot's lips, more than suggested what manner of vengeance the Captain would exact--and that, for the time, was matter enough to absorb the Deputy's whole attention.
And the women did not see him.

They were too much engrossed in the figure fronting them, and agonisedly, with cheeks white and bosoms heaving, they waited, in their dread suspense.

At last, drawing himself to the full of his stalwart height, the Captain laughed grimly and spoke.
"Mesdames," said he, his very tone an insult in its brutal derision, "we Republicans have abolished God, and until tonight I have held the Republic right, arguing that if a God there was, His leanings must be aristocratic, since He never seemed to concern Himself with the misfortunes of the lowly-born.

But tonight, mesdames, I know that the Republic is at fault.