"Oh, nonsense! You exaggerate the danger, I am sure. The crowd were heading for the Esplanade, it is true, but it was to see some military punishment, no doubt. To make us pay for Richon's death would be frightful; for, after all, we are both entirely innocent of his death." Cauvignac started and fastened his eyes upon Canolles' face with, a gloomy expression which gradually softened to one of pity. "Well, well," he said to himself, "here's a poor fellow who deceives himself as to the situation. But I must tell him how it really stands; for where would be the use of encouraging him in his error only to make the blow more crushing at the last? whereas, when one has time to prepare, the fall always seems a little easier." After a pause of some duration, he took both Candles' hands in his, and gazing into his face with an intentness which greatly embarrassed him, he said:-- "Monsieur, my dear monsieur, let us send for a bottle or two of the excellent Braune wine you know of. Alas! I might have drunk my fill of it if I had been governor a little longer, and I will even go so far as to admit that my predilection for that vintage led me to apply for that position in preference to any other. God punishes me for my gluttony." "I shall be glad to join you," said Canolles. "Very good, and as we drink we will talk; if what I have to tell you is not very pleasant, the wine will be good at least, and one will make up for the other." Canolles knocked on the door, but there was no response; he knocked still louder, and a child, who was playing in the corridor, came to the door. "What do you want?" he asked. "Wine," said Canolles; "tell your papa to bring two bottles." The child ran off, and a moment later returned to say: "Papa is busy talking with a gentleman just now; he will come very soon." "Will you let me ask you a question, my dear?" said Cauvignac. "What is it?" "What gentleman is your papa talking with?" he asked in his most insinuating tone. "With a tall gentleman." "This is a charming child," said Cauvignac; "wait a moment and we shall learn something. How is the gentleman dressed?" "All in black." "The devil! Do you hear? all in black! What is the name of this tall gentleman dressed all in black? Do you happen to know that, my dear?" "His name is Monsieur La Vie." "Aha!" said Cauvignac; "the king's advocate! I fancy that we have no reason to be apprehensive of anything he is likely to do. Let us take advantage of their conversation to converse ourselves. Here, my little fellow" he added, slipping a piece of money under the door, "here's something to buy marbles with. It's a good thing to make friends everywhere," he continued, as he stood erect once more. The child joyfully seized the coin, and thanked the donor. "Well, monsieur," said Canolles, "you were saying--"