ouldn't put up with that.

LA BOUZOLE. In that respect the law protects you. Register a complaint
and those who insult you will be prosecuted.

OLD MADAME ETCHEPARE. I don't think so. I have already registered a
complaint, as you say, but they've done nothing to the man who injured
us. So he goes on.

LA BOUZOLE. Is he an inhabitant of your commune?

OLD MADAME ETCHEPARE. Yes. A neighbor, a friend of Monsieur Mondoubleau,
the deputy. Labastide.

LA BOUZOLE. Good. I will do what I can, I promise you.

OLD MADAME ETCHEPARE. Thank you, sir. [_A pause_] Then I will go and
wait till they give me back my boy.

LA BOUZOLE. That's right.

_She goes out slowly._

SCENE III:--_La Bouzole, recorder._

RECORDER [_entering by the door at the back_] The hearing is suspended,
your worship.

LA BOUZOLE. Has Maitre Placat concluded?

RECORDER. With great applause. Two of the jurymen were seen wiping their
eyes. No one doubts there will be an acquittal.

LA BOUZOLE. So much the better.

RECORDER. Your worship knows the great news?

LA BOUZOLE. Which?

RECORDER. That the Attorney-General has arrived.

LA BOUZOLE. No--I know nothing of it.

RECORDER. Yes, he has just arrived. It seems he brings the nomination of
one of these gentlemen to the post of Councillor in the Court of Appeal.

LA BOUZOLE. Ah, ah! And whose is the prize, in your opinion, Benoit?
Vagret's?

RECORDER. That was my opinion. I hesitated a long time between him and
his Honor the President, and I decided it would be Monsieur Vagret. But
now I think I am wrong.

LA BOUZOLE. Do you think Monsieur Bunerat is appointed?

RECORDER. No, your worship. I feel very proud--I believe it is my
employer who has the honor.

LA BOUZOLE. Monsieur Mouzon!

RECORDER. Yes, your worship.

LA BOUZOLE. What makes you think that?

RECORDER. His Honor the Attorney-General requested me to beg Monsieur
Mouzon to come and speak to him before the rising of the Court.

LA BOUZOLE. My congratulations, my dear Monsieur Benoit.

_Madame Bunerat enters._

SCENE IV:--_The same and later Madame Vagret, Bunerat, the President of
Assizes, and Mouzon, then the Attorney-General._

MADAME BUNERAT [_in tears_] Oh, my dear Monsieur La Bouzole!

LA BOUZOLE. What has happened, Madame Bunerat?

MADAME BUNERAT. It's that advocate! What talent! What a heart! What
feeling! What genius! I feel quite shaken--quite upset--

LA BOUZOLE. It's an acquittal?

MADAME B