human
You do not hear me, sir, it would seem. Our interview is at an end.
gpt
Not yet, replied St. Georges, very calmly.
human
You have delivered your decision--I refuse to believe it is the king's. And until I receive it from his own lips, I shall neither quit Paris nor France.
gpt
You will not?
human
I will not.
gpt
So, replied Louvois in a harsh tone,
human
Then changing his tone to one which, perhaps, he thought more effective--a gentler, more subtle tone--he said:
gpt
You are, I think, unwise. The king will not see you; and--meanwhile--he can find means to exercise his authority, to have his orders executed.
human
The king _will_ see me, I think. Monsieur Louvois, I have a petition to present to his Majesty.
gpt
A petition!
human
Against three of his subjects, all of whom, as I do believe before God, have been engaged in a most foul attempt against me and my child. Monsieur le ministre, shall I mention the names of those subjects of the king?
gpt
No, be silent, replied Louvois;
human
he continued, breaking out into one of those heats of rage which were usual with him, while, even as he did so, he roughly motioned the servant at the door to quit the room.--
gpt
Monsieur St. Georges, do you know the deadly peril in which you stand? Do you know, I say? If it pleases me I have enough authority to commit you to the Bastille to-night, to Vincennes, to Bicêtre--the power to arrest you here in this room. If I summon that servant again, a file of mousquetaires will be sent for; if I touch this bell --and he pointed to another than the one which he had already rung--
human
Call in the soldiers, the other replied, now thoroughly desperate,
gpt
and he raised his hand in so authoritative a manner that Louvois, who had made a step toward the bell, paused in astonishment. Then St. Georges continued:
human
I am resolved to obtain an audience of the king to-night, and can do so if not thwarted. My charger is fleeter than the horses of his state carriage; I can reach Marly as soon as he. To-day is Thursday, _le jour des audiences iconnues_; it is my chance. Now, monsieur, shall I see the king to-night unmolested, unprevented by you, or shall I be dragged before him an assassin to plead my cause? A murderer, but a righteous one?
gpt
An assassin--a murderer! exclaimed Louvois, stepping back, while his face blanched.
human
Explain yourself.
gpt
Then listen--and--abstain from that bell till you have heard me --seeing that the other's eye roved toward it.
human
I intend, speaking rapidly,
gpt
--and he produced from his breast the letter ordering him to leave Pontarlier and travel to Paris--