The recorder exchanged a glance of intelligence with the consul, and said: “Doubtless the tribunal of overseers is all-powerful to decide the question, but it is exactly on this point that my doubts have arisen. I fear very much that Raimond V. is not willing to refer to this popular tribunal. He is capable of refusing to obey that summons, made, after all, by poor people, on a high and powerful baron--” “It is impossible! it is impossible! for it is our special right. The people have their rights, the nobility have theirs. Freedom for all!” cried many voices. “I hold Raimond V. to be a good and generous noble,” said another, “but I shall regard him as a traitor if he refuses to recognise our privileges.” “No, no, that is impossible,” repeated several voices. “He will come--” “He is going to appear before the overseers--” “God grant it!” said the recorder, exchanging another glance with the consul. “God grant it, my friends; because, if he despises our customs enough to act otherwise, we must think that he put his house in a state of such formidable defence only to brave the laws.” “We repeat that what you are saying, recorder, is impossible. Raimond V. cannot deny the authority of the overseers, nor can he deny the authority of the king,” said an auditor. “But, first, he denies the authority of the king,” cried Master Isnard, triumphantly; “and, since I must tell you, I believe, even after what your worthy consul has told me, that he will deny, not only the royal power, but the rights of the community also; in a word, that he will positively refuse to appear before the overseers, and that he wishes to keep his seines and nets where they are, to the detriment of the general fishery.” A hollow murmur of astonishment and indignation welcomed this news. “Speak, speak, consul; is it true?” “Raimond V. is too brave a nobleman for that.” “If it is true, yet--” “They are our rights, after all, and--” Such were the various remarks which rapidly crossed each other through the restless crowd. The consul and recorder saw themselves surrounded and pressed by a multitude which was becoming angrily impatient. Talebard-Talebardon, in collusion with the recorder, had prepared this scene with diabolical cunning. The consul replied, hoping to increase the dissatisfaction of the populace: “Without being absolutely certain of the refusal of Raimond V., I have every reason to fear it; but the recorder’s clerk, who carried the summons to Maison-Forte yesterday, and who has been obliged to go to Curjol on business, will arrive in a moment, and confirm the news. Our Lady grant that it may not be what I apprehend. Alas! what would become of our communities, if our only right, the only privilege accorded to us poor people, should be snatched away from us?”