"I merely said he had not participated in
the riot, Colonel Philibert, which was true. I did not excuse your
father for being at the head of the party among whom these outrages
arise. I simply spoke truth, Colonel Philibert. I do not eke out
by the inch my opinion of any man. I care not for the Bourgeois
Philibert more than for the meanest blue cap in his following."
This was an ungracious speech. Bigot meant it to be such. He
repented almost of the witness he had borne to the Bourgeois's
endeavors to quell the mob. But he was too profoundly indifferent
to men's opinions respecting himself to care to lie.
Colonel Philibert resented the Intendant's sneer at his father.
He faced Bigot, saying to him,--"The Chevalier Bigot has done but
simple justice to my father with reference to his conduct in regard
to the riot. But let the Intendant recollect that, although a
merchant, my father is above all things a Norman gentleman, who
never swerved a hair-breadth from the path of honor--a gentleman
whose ancient nobility would dignify even the Royal Intendant.
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