Being a member of the Legislature, he naturally shirked responsibility, and he had come to see the young Seigneur, who was justice of the peace, and practically mayor of the county.

They found the Cure, the avocat, and Medallion, talking together amiably.
The three were greatly distressed by the representations of the member and De la Riviere.

The Cure turned to Monsieur Garon, the avocat, inquiringly.
"The law--the law of the case is clear," said the avocat helplessly.

"If the peace is disturbed, if there is conspiracy to injure a country not at war with our own, if arms are borne with menace, if His Excellency--" "His Excellency--my faith!--You're an ass, Garon!" cried the young Seigneur, with an angry sneer.
For once in his life the avocat bridled up.

He got to his feet, and stood silent an instant, raising himself up and down on his tiptoes, his lips compressed, his small body suddenly contracting to a firmness, and grown to a height, his eyelids working quickly.