use to discuss the matter otherwise than in an
official manner, nothing remains for me but to beg you to inform me what
you have decided to do.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Cannot you guess?

MOUZON. I am an examining magistrate. You will make me an ordinary
magistrate. It means my income will be diminished by five hundred francs
a year. I accept.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. It is unfortunately impossible for me to content
myself with such a simple measure. To speak plainly, I must inform you
that Monsieur Coire, the director of the newspaper which attacks us so
persistently, is acquainted with the whole of the facts of the
accusation brought against you and will not give his word not to publish
them unless by the end of the month you have left the Mauleon Court. I
therefore find myself in the unhappy necessity of demanding your
resignation.

MOUZON. I shall not resign.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. You will not resign?

MOUZON. I am distressed to oppose any desire of yours, but I am quite
decided. I shall not resign.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. But really--you cannot know--

MOUZON. I know everything. ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Very well, sir, we shall
proceed against you.

MOUZON. Proceed. [_He rises_]

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Are you not alarmed at the scandal which would result
from your appearance in court and your probable conviction?

MOUZON. Conviction is less probable than you think. I shall be able to
defend myself and to select my advocate. As for the scandal, it wouldn't
fall on me. I am a bachelor, with no family; I know no one or next to no
one in Mauleon, where I am really in exile. My friends are all in
Bordeaux; they belong to the _monde ou l'on s'amuse_, and I should not
in the least lose caste in their eyes on account of such a prosecution.
You think I ought to leave the magistracy? Fortunately I have sufficient
to live on without the thirty-five hundred francs the Government of the
Republic allows me annually.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. That is enough, Monsieur. Good-day.

MOUZON. My respects. [_He goes out_]

DOORKEEPER. Monsieur the deputy is here, your honor. Monsieur the deputy
says that your honor is waiting for him.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. That is so. Ask him to come in.

_Enter Mondoubleau. The Attorney-General advances towards
him and shakes hands with him._

SCENE VI:--_Mondoubleau, Attorney-General._

MONDOUBLEAU. Good-day, my dear Attorney-General.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Good-day, my dear deputy.

MONDOUBLEAU. I'm delig