"Will you explain to these seigneurs, Leroux," commanded M. de Courson, "the plan which we have agreed on? They would prefer to hear it from your own lips, so that we can all be assured that you thoroughly understand all that you will have to do." "Am I not to sit down?" queried Leroux roughly. The gentlemen looked at one another in some consternation. Here was a problem which, simple as it seemed, nevertheless embodied a good many of the puzzles which would inevitably confront the old regime when it did succeed in re-establishing itself above the ruins and the ashes of Equality and of Fraternity. For a man in Leroux' position to dare think of sitting down in the presence of his seigneurs was, indeed, an unheard-of possibility in the days before the proletariat had ventured to assert its rights to live like human beings rather than like beasts of burden. Now, of course, things were very different; the theory of social levelling--which had found expression in the title of "citizen" applied equally to the whilom aristocrat and to the vagrant in the street--made even de Puisaye marvel if he dared impose upon a man like Leroux those conventions which in the past would have been as natural to him as the indrawing and exhaling of his breath, but which now might arouse his resentment and turn him, headstrong and wrathful, against the project wherein his co-operation was of such vital importance. Compromise that did not grate upon the susceptibilities on either side was obviously the only wise course to adopt under the circumstances, and de Puisaye, keeping an air of haughty condescension that satisfied himself, said in a pleasant tone intended to conciliate Leroux: "If the ladies have no objection, my man, you certainly may sit." Madame la Marquise nodded approval, and Leroux, muttering something which fortunately remained inaudible, sat down. II "Well, now," resumed de Puisaye after a while, "will you tell these ladies and gentlemen here as clearly as you can what plan you can adopt in order to deliver the Maurel factories into our hands? Then we shall be able to see how best we can co-operate with you in the matter." "I can manage things all right for you," said Leroux roughly. "I am chief overseer of the powder factory now--what?--so I have my quarters inside the precincts. I live in the Lodge--you know it--it stands in the centre of the group of work-sheds over against the powder magazine. What I can do is this: I can keep half a hundred of my mates--those that I know I can rely on--to work overtime one evening. They can easily slacken work during the day, and I should then have the right to keep them back for two or three hours in the sheds." "They will form the main garrison inside the precincts," explained M. de Courson. "On their quick and efficient work will depend our success."