_A._ Certainly not; he had preferred to surrender.

_Q._ Can you give me any idea of the component part of a revolutionary
crowd?

_A._ At the Opéra Comique, a revolutionary crowd seems to consist of
a number of mournful loungers, who have nothing to do save to take
a languid interest in the fate of a tearful maiden, and a few _gens
d'armes_ a little uncertain about their parade-ground.

_Q._ How do the mournful loungers express their interest in the fate
of the tearful maiden?

_A._ By pointing her out one to another, and when she is ordered off
to execution removing their hats, and fixing I their attention on
something concealed behind the scenes.

_Q._ What is your present idea of the Reign of Terror?

_A._ My present idea of the Reign of Terror is, that it was the
mildest thing imaginable. In my opinion, not even a child in arms
would have been frightened at it.

_Q._ Do you not consider M. MAYER deserving of honour?

_A._ Certainly I do. For has he not removed (with the assistance of M.
SARDOU and the Opéra Comique) several fond illusions of my youth?

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