by wagging his beard. His silence seemed
instinct with delight whenever violent revolutionary propositions were
made. His eyes assumed a soft ecstatic expression at the mention of the
guillotine. He half closed them, as though he could see the machine, and
was filled with pleasant emotion at the sight; and next he would gently
rub his chin against the knob of his stick, with a subdued purr of
satisfaction.

"All the same," said Florent, in whose voice a vague touch of sadness
lingered, "if you cut down the tree it will be necessary to preserve
some seed. For my part, I think that the tree ought to be preserved, so
that we may graft new life on it. The political revolution, you know,
has already taken place; to-day we have got to think of the labourer,
the working man. Our movement must be altogether a social one. I defy
you to reject the claims of the people. They are weary of waiting, and
are determined to have their share of happiness."

These words aroused Alexandre's enthusiasm. With a beaming, radiant face
he declared that this was true, that the people were weary of waiting.

"And we will have our share," added Lacaille, with a more menacing
expression. "All the revolutions that have taken place have been for
the good of the middle classes. We've had quite enough of that sort of
thing, and the next one shall be for our benefit."

From this moment disagreement set in. Gavard offered to make a division
of his property, but Logre declined, asserting that he cared nothing for
money. Then Charvet gradually overcame the tumult, till at last he alone
was heard speaking.

"The selfishness of the different classes does more than anything else
to uphold tyranny," said he. "It is wrong of the people to display
egotism. If they assist us they shall have their share. But why should
I fight for the working man if the working man won't fight for
me? Moreover, that is not the question at present. Ten years of
revolutionary dictatorship will be necessary to accustom a nation like
France to the fitting enjoyment of liberty."

"All the more so as the working man is not ripe for it, and requires to
be directed," said Clemence bluntly.

She but seldom spoke. This tall, serious looking girl, alone among
so many men, listened to all the political chatter with a learnedly
critical air. She leaned back against the partition, and every now and
then sipped her grog whilst gazing at the speakers with frowning
brows or inflated nostr