We are united for ever to the creatures to whom we give life, it is a compromise of solidarity that we make with the species when we work for its continuance.

He who breaks the chain and flies is a coward." "You will not convince me, Gabriel," screamed Esteban.

"I will not!--I will not!" "I repeat it is cowardly on your part.

This honour that weighs so heavily on you is a cruel and antiquated honour that settles all the conflicts of life by shedding blood.

Why do you not seek the man who stole your daughter?
Why do you not kill him like a father in an old play?
Is it because you are a fearful man and have not learnt the art of murder, and that arms are his profession?
If you had taken lawless vengeance, relying only on what you think your right, his powerful family would have retaliated on you; but you have not revenged yourself through an instinct of self-preservation, through fear of prison and all the punishments invented by society; you have been afraid in spite of your anger, and this fear you indulge at the expense of cruelty to the weaker creature.