t--he
was magnificent--wasn't he, Bunerat?

BUNERAT. Oh, sir, but the manner in which you presided prepared the way
so well--

THE PRESIDENT. Well, well, I don't say I count for nothing in the
result, but we must do justice to Vagret. [_To Madame Vagret_] You ought
to be greatly gratified--very proud and happy, my dear Madame--

MADAME VAGRET. Oh, I am, your honor--

THE PRESIDENT. But what a strange idea to demand an adjournment! Is he
unwell?

MADAME VAGRET. Oh, dear!

THE PRESIDENT. No. Here he is.

_Enter Vagret. He is anxious._

MADAME VAGRET. Ah, my dear! [_She takes his hand in hers. She can say no
more, being choked by tears of joy_]

THE PRESIDENT. It was wonderful!

BUNERAT. I can't restrain myself from congratulating you too.

VAGRET. Really, you confuse me. The whole merit is yours, Monsieur.

THE PRESIDENT. Not at all. Do you know what carried them all away? [_He
lights a cigarette_]

VAGRET. No!

THE PRESIDENT. It was when you exclaimed, "Gentlemen of the jury, you
own houses, farms, and property; you have beloved wives, and daughters
whom you tenderly cherish. Beware--" You were splendid there!
[_Resuming_] "Beware, if you leave such crimes unpunished; beware, if
you allow yourselves to be led astray by the eloquent sentimentality of
the defence; beware, I tell you, if you fail in your duty as the
instrument of justice; beware, lest those above you snatch up the sword
which has fallen from your feeble hands, when the blood that you have
not avenged will be spilt upon you and yours!" That was fine! Very fine!
And it produced a great effect.

BUNERAT. But you, my dear President, you moved them even more noticeably
when you recalled the fact, very appropriately, that the accused loved
the sight of blood.

THE PRESIDENT. Ah, yes, that told a little!

ALL. What? What was that?

BUNERAT. The President put this question: "On the morning of the crime
did you not slaughter two sheep?" "Yes," replied the accused. And then,
looking him straight in the eyes--

THE PRESIDENT. Yes, I asked him: "You were getting into practice,
weren't you?" [_To Vagret_] But after all, if I have to a certain extent
affected the result, the greater part of the honor of the day is yours.

VAGRET. You are too kind.

THE PRESIDENT. Not at all! And your peroration! [_With an artist's
curiosity_] You were really, were you not, under the stress of a great
emotion, a really great emotion?

VAGRET [_gravely_]