It will be my only defence.

An honest man does not fear the truth!" But Monferrand, in his turn, had sprung up with a cry which was a complete confession of his principles: "It's ridiculous, one never confesses; you surely won't do such a thing!" "I shall," retorted Barroux with superb obstinacy.

"And we shall see if the Chamber won't absolve me by acclamation." "No, you will fall beneath an explosion of hisses, and drag all of us down with you." "What does it matter?
We shall fall with dignity, like honest men!" Monferrand made a gesture of furious anger, and then suddenly became calm.

Amidst all the anxious confusion in which he had been struggling since daybreak, a gleam now dawned upon him.

The vague ideas suggested by Salvat's approaching arrest took shape, and expanded into an audacious scheme.