The song of the people! Percy paid no heed to Beaufort, twirling his wife as they belted out Ça Ira like excited children trailing behind a rallying mob. But finally, when the song died on his lips, Percy could take no more of the grumpy man and his superiority. "Sir!" Percy gasped, letting his wife go gently, "Mock you?"

"Mock you? True, while I am not French in nationality, I am French in spirit. I might not say so explicitly, for it is not my way, I love France very much. I love the French very much. Viva la France!" At this his eyes fell upon his wife, and he smiled ever-so-slightly in her direction. "And, Citizen Booford, that is all that I have to say on the matter." He began to sign Ça Ira once more, humming the ditty softly to himself. Beaufort was forgotten once again.

"Marguerite, m'dear, would you care to join your silly husband on a walk?"