"No, I will not say it; but there is an Italian proverb which
says it for me."

"What is the proverb?" demanded the general in his companion's
stead, fixing his calm, limpid eye upon the young noble.

"I give it in all its simplicity: 'Francesi non sono tutti ladroni,
ma buona parte'; which means: 'All Frenchmen are not thieves,
but--"

"A good part are?" concluded Roland.

"Yes, 'Buonaparte,'" replied Alfred de Barjols.

Scarcely had these insolent words left the young aristocrat's
lips than the plate with which Roland was playing flew from his
hands and struck De Barjols full in the face. The women screamed,
the men rose to their feet. Roland burst into that nervous laugh
which was habitual with him, and threw himself back in his chair.
The young aristocrat remained calm, although the blood was trickling
from his brow to his cheek.

At this moment the conductor entered with the usual formula:

"Come! citizen travellers, take your places."

The travellers, anxious to leave the scene of the quarrel, rushed
to the door.

"Pardon me, sir," said Alfred de Barjols to Roland, "you do not