above them.

"I am a reformer; I desire to see sweeping changes; I want a good,
wise, and honest government; and I desire these things because
I fear that, if they do not come peacefully they will come in a
tempest of lawlessness and vengeance."

"Well, they are getting all they want," the marquis said peevishly.
"They are passing every law, however absurd, that comes into their
hands. No one is opposing them. They have got the reins in their
own hands. What on earth can they want more? There might have been
an excuse for rebellion and riot two years since - there can be
none now. What say you, abbe?"

The abbe seldom took part in conversations on politics, but, being
now appealed to, he said mildly:

"We must allow for human nature, monsieur. The slave who finds
himself free, with arms in his hands, is not likely to settle down
at once into a peaceful citizen. Men's heads are turned with the
changes the last two years have brought about. They are drunk with
their own success, and who can say where they will stop? So far
they find no benefit from the changes. Bread is as dear as ever,
men's pockets are as empty. They thought to gain everything - they
find they have got nothing; and so they will cry for more and more
change, their fury will run higher and higher with each disappointment,
and who can say to what lengths they will go? They have already
confiscated the property of the church, next will come that of the
laity."