Cinq Mars — Volume 2 by Alfred de Vigny
page 4 of 68 (05%)
page 4 of 68 (05%)
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done with him?"
"Remain here; be immovable, be silent," replied the young advocate. "The inertia of a people is all-powerful; that is its true wisdom, that its strength. Observe them closely, and in silence; and you will make them tremble." "They surely will not dare to appear here again," said the Comte du Lude. "I should like to look once more at the tall scoundrel in red," said Grand-Ferre, who had lost nothing of what had occurred. "And that good gentleman, the Cure," murmured old Father Guillaume Leroux, looking at all his indignant parishioners, who were talking together in a low tone, measuring and counting the archers, ridiculing their dress, and beginning to point them out to the observation of the other spectators. Cinq-Mars, still leaning against the pillar behind which he had first placed himself, still wrapped in his black cloak, eagerly watched all that passed, lost not a word of what was said, and filled his heart with hate and bitterness. Violent desires for slaughter and revenge, a vague desire to strike, took possession of him, despite himself; this is the first impression which evil produces on the soul of a young man. Later, sadness takes the place of fury, then indifference and scorn, later still, a calculating admiration for great villains who have been successful; but this is only when, of the two elements which constitute man, earth triumphs over spirit. Meanwhile, on the right of the hall near the judges' platform, a group of |
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