France is no empire; she is a grand nation of spirit, of valour, above all, of honour.

The English have treated me, as I would treat them, with kindness, with largeness, with confidence.

In the name of fair France, I will not do this thing." Carne was naturally pale, but now he grew white with rage, and his black eyes flashed.
"France will be an empire within six months; and your honour will be put upon prison diet, while your family starve for the sake of it." "If I ever meet you under other circumstances," replied the brave Frenchman, now equally pale, "I shall demand reparation, sir." "With great pleasure," replied Carne, contemptuously; "meanwhile monsieur will have enough to do to repair his broken fortunes." Captain Desportes turned his back, and gave a whistle for his crew, then stepped with much dignity into his boat.

"To the Blonde, lads," he cried, "to the unsullied Blonde!" Then he sate, looking at her, and stroked his grizzled beard, into which there came trickling a bitter tear or two, as he thought of his wife and family.

He had acted well; but, according to the measure of the present world, unwisely..