At the same
time, perhaps, he was trying to find out what they might think and know,
as one of the many viewpoints of the people in Paris.
"You are not French," he added looking at his cousin. "You were born in
Argentina, so before you I may speak the truth."
"And were you not born there?" asked Julio smiling.
The Doctor made a gesture of protest, as though he had just heard
something insulting. "No, I am a German. No matter where a German may
be born, he always belongs to his mother country." Then turning to
Argensola--"This gentleman, too, is a foreigner. He comes from noble
Spain, which owes to us the best that it has--the worship of honor, the
knightly spirit."
The Spaniard wished to remonstrate, but the Sage would not permit,
adding in an oracular tone:
"You were miserable Celts, sunk in the vileness of an inferior and
mongrel race whose domination by Rome but made your situation worse.
Fortunately you were conquered by the Goths and others of our race who
implanted in you a sense of personal dignity. Do not forget, young man,
that the Vandals were the ancestors of the Prussians of to-day."
Again Argensola tried to speak, but his friend signed to him not to
interrupt the professor who appeared to have forgotten his former
reserve and was working up to an enthusiastic pitch with his own words.
"We are going to witness great events," he continued.
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