Rafael Sabatini

“ Lies? Oh, citizen, what lie is it has been carried to you?—for I see now that you are in earnest. Assuredly some malicious, ill-disposed person would do poor Bonchatel an injury. And I mind me now that I lack not enemies in Rousillon, concerning whom it has for some time been my intention to appeal to our enlightened Committee, so that justice may be done me. I take this opportunity of your presence here, citizens, upon the investigation of a charge that is utterly unfounded, to lay before you my very serious complaint. ”

“ The new president of the new committee can deal with them upon a charge of negligence to the sacred interests of the Republic, and abuse of the position they occupied under it. What manner of man is this Bonchatel?"
I gave him a list of my host's virtues which more than satisfied him.
"I will see to it that he is appointed to the vacant presidency. It is well to have men of the people who are yet trustworthy. It emphasizes the new laws of equality, and shows also how virtue and merit may win any man promotion. To-morrow we will elect a fresh committee also." ”

“ I inquired, "is the Committee of Rousillon given to extreme measures?"
"The Committee of Rousillon is Scævola. What he wills, the others do—and they call this liberty and equality. God help poor France!"
"What manner of men are they?"
"The very flower of the gutter—the very scum of Rousillon, else would they never have elected Scævola their president."
"Are they men who would easily be tempted to a meal?" ”

“ The citizen desires our judgment upon his bread and wine; to refuse would be culpably to neglect our sacred duty to the Nation—it would be criminal, my friends. Why then delay it for the sake of a matter of twenty francs?"
Bonchatel watched the struggle with eager eyes. ”

“ IT was in Brumaire of the year 2 of the French Republic, One and Indivisible—November of 1793 by the calendar of slaves—that, whilst on my way to rejoin my regiment—then before Toulon—I was detained in Rousillon by orders of no less a personage than Robespierre himself, and billeted for three days upon a baker and dealer in wines of the name of Bonchatel. ”

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1950, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 72 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”