Monsieur, I cannot forget the tragedy he stayed at the smithy, with risk of his own life.

I cannot forget--" The Cure, anticipating, nodded at him encouragingly.

Probably the avocat intended to say something quite different, but the look in the Cure's eyes prompted him, and he continued: "I cannot forget that he has given to the poor, and liberally to the Church, and has promised benefits to the deserving--ah, no, no, my dear Seigneur!" He had delivered his speech in a quaint, quick way, as though addressing a jury, and when he had finished, he sat down again, and nodded his head, and tapped a foot on the floor; and the Cure did the same, looking inquiringly at De la Riviere.
This was the first time there had been trouble in the little coterie.
They had never differed painfully before.

Tall Medallion longed to say something, but he waited for the Cure to speak.
"What is your mind, Monsieur le Cure ?" asked De la Riviere testily.
"My dear friend, Monsieur Garon, has answered for us both," replied the Cure quietly.
"Do you mean to say that you will not act with me to stop this thing," he urged--"not even for the safety of the people ?" The reply was calm and resolute: "My people shall have my prayers and my life, when needed, but I do not feel called upon to act for the State.

I have the honour to be a friend of His Excellency." "By Heaven, the State shall act!" cried De la Riviere, fierce with rancour.