"Well, be it so. We will admit that the Company was founded upon
a philanthropic basis, to re-establish the balance of fortunes,
redress the whims of chance and reform the abuses of society.
Though he may be a robber, after the fashion of Karl Moor, your
friend Morgan--was it not Morgan that this honest citizen called
himself?"

"Yes," said the Englishman.

"Well, your friend Morgan is none the less a thief."

Citizen Alfred de Barjols turned very pale.

"Citizen Morgan is not my friend," replied the young aristocrat;
"but if he were I should feel honored by his friendship."

"No doubt," replied Roland, laughing. "As Voltaire says: 'The
friendship of a great man is a blessing from the gods.'"

"Roland, Roland!" observed his comrade in a low tone.

"Oh! general," replied the latter, letting his companion's rank
escape him, perhaps intentionally, "I implore you, let me continue
this discussion, which interests me in the highest degree."

His friend shrugged his shoulders.

"But, citizen," continued the young man with strange persistence,
"I stand in need of correction. I left France two years ago, and
during my absence so many things have changed, such as dress,