The Count of Monte Cristo

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violence."

"'"And you, sir," continued the president, with a calmness still more
terrible than the general's anger, "I advise you not to touch your
sword." The general looked around him with slight uneasiness; however
he did not yield, but calling up all his fortitude, said,--"I will not
swear."

"'"Then you must die," replied the president calmly. M. d'Epinay became
very pale; he looked round him a second time, several members of the
club were whispering, and getting their arms from under their cloaks.
"General," said the president, "do not alarm yourself; you are among men
of honor who will use every means to convince you before resorting to
the last extremity, but as you have said, you are among conspirators,
you are in possession of our secret, and you must restore it to us."
A significant silence followed these words, and as the general did not
reply,--"Close the doors," said the president to the door-keeper.