human
M. Belmont, do you not know me?
gpt
Lieutenant Hardinge!
human
Do you come here, sir, in your military capacity?
gpt
Ah! you are in citizen's dress. Then I cannot understand the object of your visit. If you came as an officer of the King, the house would be yours and you could do as you liked. But if you come as a private citizen, I would remind you that this house is mine and that I will do as I like. To-night, I would particularly like not to be disturbed.
human
M. Belmont....
gpt
Sir, was the sharp interruption,
human
I have given no explanations and require none. You will oblige me by...,
gpt
Really, M. Belmont....
human
Sir, do you mean to force yourself upon me? I know that there is a sort of martial law in the city. You are an officer. You may search my house from cellar to garret. You may quarter yourself in it. You may detain me as a prisoner. In fact, you may do whatever you please. If such is your intention, say so, and I will not resist. But if such is not your intention, I stand by my right of inviolability. Your boast is that every British subject's house is his own castle. My desire is to maintain this privilege in the present instance.